Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1871-07-13
Letter From LOvejoy.


directly over our heads, SO that when
we held up a plumb line the string cast
no shadow. Last night we passed the
SUMS tropic, twenty three and half
degrees from the equator, where it
turns back after the twcnty-frst of
June; so we are now in the Torrid
zone, and just off the great Sahara des-
ert The weather is delightful, being
no warmer than your usual Spring
days when the leaves are unfolding
and our nights are delicious. Last eve
ming the moon and Venus were run
ming a race to see which should first
hide its sparkling light beneath the
wave. Jupiter had fairly beaten her
majesty the night before, but now the
virgin was so bashful, il the presence
of the Queen of Night, that she did
not come out until the moon was two
full lengths ahead. The CAPTAIN was
enthusiastic for Venus, while most of
the passengers, being English, were
| ~ al ~ AAC SLIlOCAAs 1"O Oo3
peerless in their splendor, under this
tropical sky, moved grandly down the
western horizon, the star still coming
nearer and nearer the moon, but the
goal was reached too soon for it, and
the moon was declared the winner
amid the shouts and songs of rejoicing
over the grandeur of the scene and
pleasure at having won the race.
Two weeks ago, about noon, we
passed the grand peak of Teneriffe,
rising from its base like massive pill
lar, until its lofty summit, $4,000 feet
above the sea, looks forever uncloud-
ed in the light of the sun. It was Sab
bath, and as we looked upon that grand
beacon from morning until evening,
and guiding our course by it. we could
not resist the eloquence of this silent
preacher, ever pointing to Heaven, in
the cloudless sky. And as we were
wishing to climb the summit, some one
repeated the verse in reference to the
| mount OF CnflSLlan 1alLU -
Could but climb where Moses stood,
And view the landscape DER;
Not Jordan's stream, nor deaths cold food
Should fright me from the shore.
We passed close to the west of Ten
eriffe, so that the cottages of the Por-
tuguese were plainly seen. Grand Ca
nary Island was further to the east
while Palma ard Gomorra were or
our right. These islands are very fer
tile, and we regretted to pass such fine
orange groves and vineyards. But we
are supplied with every luxury and ale
literally faring sumptuously every day
At Madeira, the oranges, figs, raisins
nilmots, bananas, and every tropica
fruit of the season, was supplied fol
the voyage, with fresh potatoes, peas
beans, and all our garden products o
July.
The island of Madeira is just like
fairy land Then picturesque scene
ry amid the flowers and fruits of ever,
/ land. A climate the most delicious
|
J and salubrious. We visited the gar
: dens and residence of Mr.. Davis, O
New York. 1t is a real paradise of
t place. Here the royal palm trees spreat
: their leafy shade; the orange and tn
lemon trees; the Towering trees ant
the mango groves. If their is plac,
} on earth which could at all compar
} with the ancient Eden, this must b
the place. Many Europeans come her
to spend the winter. The Queen o
7 Austria spent several months at tn
( residence of Mr.. Davis, two years ago
: Many of the paintings and rich furni
: ture were furnished for her. Here, q
t at Lisbon, the people are very stupi
+ and ignorant. The number of guide
: and beggars that beset you, on land
0 ing, is far more alarming than are th
e agents and carriage drivers in ou
S large cities. And if you hire one, Q
e give one of them anything, the Who'll
y crew claim the same favor, and are nc
y to be denied. They have no wagon
S or wheeled carriages of any kind, BIT
= use drags or sleds. To these they hitc
y oxen. Oxen and donkies are the
n only beasts of burden, and it is SUI
r prising how much they do with thes'
Their streets are paved with small
flinty stones, over which the sleds ru
: as upon ice. Their little, covere
= sleighs are quite comfortable, and al
: drawn with considerable speed by tt
! pony-like oxen.
Carr PALMAs, May 29th.-We had
noisy time this morning, at Gran
= Estos, taking on Krooman, as sailor
: down the coast. They came aroun
the ship in their little canoes, jabbe
: ing like flock of wild geese, and whe
a rope was thrown out to them, do
.e en- had hold of the rope al once, scran
d bling over each other up the side
y the vessel, They are the best sailo
," on the coast, and are fine, muscul
70 fellows.
|, We have had very fine voyage,
or far, and are all in good health. "
will call at all the principal towns fro
- this point down the coast.
i LovEJoY.
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