Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-05-22
Correspondence of the Rutland Herald.
A Sea Voyage.
National STEAMSHIP ITALY,
AT SEA. LAT. 1924, Lone. 1912,
May 9th, 1878.


NATIONAL STEAMSHIP ITALY,
AT SEA, LAT. 1924, Lone. 16, AZ,
May 9th, 1878. J
Editor Rutland Herald According
to promise, though quivering with the
thug of machinery, and rocked with the
ever-restless waves, | will endeavor to
note few incidents of our novel Life
on the Ocean Wave.
We cleared the pier, New York, at
3. 30 p. M, April Goth, and with proud
sweep sailed out of the bay, through the
Narrows, rounded Sandy Hook, and the
sea being calm and wind fair, we were
soon out of sight of the land we love so
well which circumstance afforded an
appropriate opportunity to give some
consideration to the surroundings of our
new home. We found ourself domiciled
with an aged gentleman, of good address,
companionable, and of an intelligent
turn of mind, having travelled extensive
ly in Europe. The saloon is adorned
with costly and fragrant flowers arranged
in bouquets of exquisite beauty. There
are seventy passengers in the cabin,
more than one-third of whom are chill
dren under fourteen year of age.
All were dressed in style indicating
good circumstances, and joy and laugh
ter everywhere abounded At six bells
Ct o'clock tea was served, after which
the evening was spent in introductions
and pleasant intercourse at II o'clock
the lights were extinguished, and our
little world was hushed to slumber,
''rocked in the cradle of the deep"
Sabbath morning dawned bright and
warm, fair wind and smooth sea; for
three hours we walked the deck, and at
s. 80 were summoned to breakfast which
was served in fine style, and was by
us keenly relished.
At 1890 a. m, the bell sounded for
divine service, where, by request of
Captain Andrews, the writer officiated
as chaplain of the day, rendering the
full morning service of the English Epis-
copal Church, affording another illustra-
ton of the exclusiveness of the denomi-
nation which he represents, which, as
you well know, is accounted the straitest
Of tile sects.
An incident in connection with this
service is worthy of note. An English
lady, the widow of an eX-confederate
officer, woman of ecclesiastical birth,
aristocratic demeanor and high church
proclivities, so high indeed that she has
persistently refused to use the American
edition of the Book of Common Prayer,
and so suspicious of our heresy that she
deliberately took her seat on my right,
(the captain being on my left with the
remark, made in all seriousness, Il will
seat myself beside you, that | may aid
you in reading our service in 0rtt0d01
style" Judge, then, of her mingled sur
prise and righteous indignation, when in
reading the prayer for Queen Victoria,
we entwined the name of his excellency,
the President of the United States. Nc
sooner was the benediction pronounced,
than the Walls of her wrath were poured
on our erring head, but gradually, by
force of the loyal sympathy in our ia
vor, she subsidized into quiet disgust.
Life on board ship is somewhat novel,
not to say dissipating. Four meals are
served each day, and in a style most in
yiting to lovers of the epicurian art. We
sat down to dinner with good appetite,
but were suddenly attacked with Qatdynas
of conscience against eating so much on
Sunday, and, leaving the table, we rush
ed to the deck, walked, sat, lounged,
looked wise, looked savage, quoted scrip
ture and poetry, and endeavored to
sing, but of no avail our hour had come,
and rushing to the rail, we bowed in
meek but unwilling submission to old
ocean, and laid our offering in his treas
ury The evening was spent in CONVEX
sation and sacred song.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
mornings were very pleasant, and the
passengers, all well and happy, passed
the time in conversation, song. pitching
quoits, pushing the shuffie-boards, play
ing cards, smoking, and liberal pota-
tions of wine by those accustomed to in
dulge.
O, treacherous ocean How bitterly
and deceitfully dost thou deal with thy
children.
At noon, Wednesday,. the Both, the
weather changed, and our joys are at an
end, for men, women and children sud
denly disappear, and very strange sounds
are heard, suggesting wholesale adj
ministratlon of strong emetics; for our
selves, we can honestly say, that life has
lost all its charms for us, and we wait
impatiently the closing scenes. A strong
gale of contrary winds, with very heavy
seas, knock us about, as though our no.
BILE iron ship was mere feather on the
wave and, as if to make matters worse,
our coal has listed, which causes our YES
sci to careen very badly.
Friday morning the winds and weather
improved, and general change appears
in our little world, for our suddenly de-
serted tables are again graced with con-
valescent patients, each trying to con-
vince the other that they have not been
re7y sick.
Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tues
day are very fine, with fair or light
winds, and moderate progress made,
the passengers beginning to axiously look
for land.
The Italy proves staunch vessel, al
though not so fast as we expected to find
her, as our voyage will be two days
longer than our anticipations. The to-
tai distance up to this hour is 2,573 miles,
and her daily average is 257 miles.
which is below the average voyage of