Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-08-18
Communications.
LBrrBH FROM MIDLAND.
DUBLIN, IRELAND, July 81, 1871.

you had stood among the mutitudes Of
friends who came to see us off, you would
have seen us walk up the plank of the new
and noble steamship Algeria, ready for her
ninth trip only. She is one Of the Cunard
line, latest improved; the largest and best
in which | ever ode,-and this is my fifth
crossing. We had in all about 400 passen-
gers, and the hundreds of friends which
crowded the wharf, to bid us adieu, and the
waving of hats and handk erchiofs, the loud
cheering, and just at that moment a few
poals of thunder, and weeping clouds, as
we began TO move out, was thrillingly
grand, to say the least, as well as gratifying
TO us. or course nearly all remained on
deck until we were out sight of New York
harbor and as we left Sandy Hook the din
ner-bell rang. American style, all made
rush for the tables, which were soon well
filed all with good appetites, few realizing
that it was their first and last meal taken
with a relish during the voyage, as is often
the case with bilious, seasick subject.
Happily for such we had a very smooth
passage all the way, not much wind, no
storms, and only the ordinary ocean swells
to rock us to sleep. Our party were assign
ed seats at the captains table, sitting at his
LEFT and near him. We found him a very
pleasant and agreeable man, and an excel
lent officer. lie is about 60 years old, I
should judge, Scotchman by birth, and
told me he had to serve 20 years before he
reached his present position, viz: comman-
der of one of the Cunard first class steam
10 laf I,f In had
for three days of fog, and in the vicinity of
icebergs. He did not come to the table, but
took his meals on his bridge. The ether
officers are entitled to the same credit. on
such a ship, with such officers, one feels
that kind of safety which is "a comfort at
sea.
There were five other steamers left the
same day with us, all of them few hours
before us; but we passed them all but one,
before the close of the third day out. The
City OF London, of the Inman line, was in
| sight nearly two days. Overtaking, pass
ing and leaving her was matter Of much
interest and pleasure to us. | believe for a
time there was a show of racing; however,
it was not admitted by the officers, hut the
sailors would occasionally spill over to that
effect. 1t was grand sight to see two large
steamers, one on either side, or 10 miles
apart, blowing the ocean at the rate of Is
miles an hour, with a smooth sea, l assure
you.
As for the voyage, you know about what
it is. Nine or ten days is a long short time
to be confined in so small space, and be
obliged to sleep in cofiin-styl box bed,
with other comforts the best they can be.
Two hundred cabin passengers! If could
sit down with you could relate many in
teresting and laughable incidents which
happened on board. As among so many
there is every variety of human nature, and
each ono afforded a good opportunity to
show out their peculiarities. In fact, be.
lieve there is no condition one can be in
like seasickness, which dispels all restraint
and lets out all the ugly qualities of our ma
ture; giving strange, 1aughable and often
pititul exhibitions for the amusement OF
others, who are better sailors than we are.
OF course we have all sorts of characters
the self-wise and knowing ones, who talk
loud and bore everybody with their long
yarns, and while we dread to see them APP
proach us, there are many valuable things
to belearned from them, and it's well to keep
the right side of such. We have the talent
ed and the ignorant, the aristocrat and the
shOddy, the ape and the ass, the critic and
scandalizer in short, a little world in a
small space. And although there is plenty
of room to sit, lie or lounge, out of each
others way, still each place, nook and cor
ner, after awhile, is just the place we are
tired of; and changing is the order, bring
ing us in contact so often we can but be IA
miliar with the ways of all-eithcr to adj
mre or hate them.
The amusements on board are limited TO
shuttle board, rng-toss, cards, chess, stoIy-
telling, singing, riddle and conundrum
guessing, &C., &c. Reading is impossible,
one has no spirit for it, II is so tiresome to
read with constant motion, and somebody
forever interrupting you; one loses all in
terest in the subject. New voyagers write
a good deal, keep log books, and fill pages
with inspirations that would make them
sick to read some future day.
Sunday is Il day of rest on ship board, as
it is on land, and rs quiet accordingly AT
II o'clock A. NJ. all the well ones, with all
the sailors, (who dress up in clean white
pants and blue jackets come together into
the saloon, and the captain reads the Eng
lish service. Everyone seems to join in the
exercises with IA becoming devotion.
But l cannot tell you much about life on
shipboard. To one that is well, and accus-
toned to travelling, modern improv ements
have made ii much like hotel life; and
speed so shortens the distance that crossing
the ocean is very agreeable trip. A little
over nine days found us in Queenstown al
1 o'clock a. NJ, Tuesday, July 25th. All in
all, it was a splendid voyage. None of oul
party were much sick, all on deck every
day. We landed here in company with
about 40 others, to go up through Ireland
and Scotland. The steamer does not go NJ
into the harbor. A tugboat meets us tel
miles out and takes us on board. Bcfor,
we land lin drzZing rain We had to =,
through trunk and bag opening for custom
house officers amusement, in search of ci
gars, tobacco and revolvers. Some of eaci
were taken from passengers who were
little green. our party had no such articles
and we got through with them in haste, anC
were of for the depot to get through this
dirty town as soon as possible. Elever
miles ride found MS at o o'clock break ihs
in Cork. The best hotel here is poor enough
and said to be frst-class only in prices. We
secured a jaunting car, the only vehicle used
in Ireland for pleasure-riding, IA queer gie
OF two wheels, seats over the wheels facing
outward, so that four can ride back to back
with the driver up over the shafts, by the
tail of the horse, ms it is a one-horse affair."
and we started for BlarneS Castle, miles
distant. The scenery by the way is beauti
full and the old castle Of which you hav,
read, is worth the trip to behold. Ofcourst
we all kissed the "magic blarncy stone
which makes all who kiss 1t eloquent
Some kiss the old woman who keeps Tho