The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-25
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FROM EUROPE.
A Weston Boy on His Travels.

DLAh Gin '-lu COulplluuCe WIN your
request, through my mother, I shall
sndsayor to give you an account Of the
most interesting particulars connected
with my visit to the Old World. AsI
shall probably continue my communi.
cations descriptive of the different
places Of interest that We visit, (pro.
vidsd they are acceptable, and. prove
worthy OF insertion int your columns
l shall commence at the beginning.
The Cue war steamer Hdchuiseti fully
armed aud CO tipped in the Brooklyn
Navy Yard, was pronounced ready for
a voyage across the Atlantic on the 1st
Of June last; but in consequence Of
some delay, was still seen lying ut
anchorage of the Battery in New York
harbor on the 7th, upon which day
your humble servant, while sauuteriug
down Broadway, met a very particular
friend, who informed ne that he was
attached to the EachmseR, in the ca.
paeity Of Pay Masters Clerk, aud would
sail for Europe in few days, aud that
he should like very much for me to nc.
company Lim-teudering me the posi-.
ton Of Pay Masters Writer in his de.
partment, which was at that time va.
cant. | was not all DESTROYS Of going
abroad Sgain-not long since having
returned from wild goose chase Of 8
years and half to South America but
having nothing to do. and very little
prospect Of getting anything, l could
interposc no very serious to my friends
entreaties. So on the evening Of the
18th | found myself on board of tue
IEaehusett. bound for Norfolk, Virginia.
We reached Norfolk in about As hours,
at which place we remained until the
LIST Of August, undergoing some altcra-
tons that our Captain was DESTROYS Of
having made; after which We steamed
down to tue 'compass station of Fortress
Monroe. to adjust our compassss, which
is customary with all Men.of.Wr be.
fore leaving the United States. Hay.
ing this done, to the full satisfaction of
our Navigating Officer, nothing else
remained but to get up anchor and pro.
coed on our way 10 Europe, which we
did on the morning of the 4th Of August.
Having favorable breeze, We hauled
fires, il compliance with orders from
the Navy department, not to steam
when there is any possibility Of sailing,
which means economy in the use ofcoal
We were not many hours in losing sight
of the Cape Henry Lighthouse, and
finding ourselves out upon the bosom Of
tho mighty deep our little vessel
riding the waters "likc thing Of life."
We had most delightful weather on
our voyage; and on the morning Of the
18th OF August the cry Of Land ho!"
announced our vicinity to Fuyal, one Of
tho group Ofthe Azores. l don't know
when | have bocu so impressed with tue
beauty Of upy scene. Il presents tue
appearance Of a huge monster reposing
cpOn tue water; aud the scene becomes
more and more attractive as you near
the land. aud the happy looking euin-
tas and farm houses nesting here and
there on the cliffs, amid thick ycrdure,
come more distinctly in view. lmme.
diately upon unchoring IN the bar.
Dor We were boarded BY the Portuguese
Health Officer (ns these Islands all be.
long to Portugal) who, finding that we
had no contagious disease on board,
granted US communication with the
shore. The population Of this Island is
about 6.000-lho climate perpetual
summer, aud the soil very rich. pro.
luciug every variety Ofgraiu aud fruit.
The grain is exclusively ground by wind
mills, one Of which almost every farmer
l cannot refrain from occupying
hort space here to myselfand "another
donkey With which | had quite an ad-
'enturc. Having had very naturally
great desire to see something Of tie
Interior Of this beautiful Island, | sug-
rested to several of my friends a trip on
hors for this purpose. Three Of them
iery readily..assented. The Island being
'ery mountainous, we found it necessary |
o have conveyance Of some descrip.
ion, and upon inquiry found, to our
Tery great CONSERVATION, that it was
impossible to get anything but donkey
piece Knowing the obstinacy and |
reacbery OF these diminutivo quadru.
nedS, it was with a great deal Of rrluc-
ance that | acceded to the earnest so. |
icitatiOni Of my friends TO employ them. |
md who thought it would be- capital
I'm Well, We paid the owner of the
ionkeys the money which be required
o advance, e pistarincs each, equiv.
ilGnt to 80 cents in our money, land
vent on our way rejoicing We had
;ottsu but a short distance into the
country when one of my friends don.
icy was seized with sudden inclination
o go back-to bis oats l suppOse-for
Te could think Of no other reasonable
'xcuse he could have for stopping very
in the middle Of the road, and .
uruing lis head around in the opposite
Erection to which he was going, despite
be earnest entreaties of his unfortunate
'ider TO 60 ahead. lie deliberately
.tarted back home, aud Of course my
ricnd began to use Orsry possible means
u his power to oppose it. lie tried
'oaxing, pleading, pOtting. moral per.