Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-01-15
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.
No. 5. FITZROY SQUARE,
LONDON. Dec. ~. 1878.

perity to the American aud its patrons.
The substitute Of letter from London,
instead OF Vienna, is a bad fulfillment OF
my promise of some description of that
Grand Exhibition. which closed the day of
our arrival at Liverpool.
The incidents of steamship passage from
New York to England are too familiar to
many Of your readers. to bear repetition,
yet the frequent terrible disasters with loss
of life. render u safe passage at least inter-
estiAg to ones friends on either side Of the
Atlantic. The reputation of the Cunard
Line for safety, is truthiully deserved. hav-
ing thus far had no losses OF ship or life.
For the Cuba" and her accomplished
Captain Noodle. We can bear cheerful tes-
timouy of the ability of both. to dostheir
part well. Unfortunately the passengers
do not always behave as well. and whyf
All. why, from sad experience, | know
whereof l speak. that ia mid-ocean. say,
the rolling forties." called by the sailors
luctantly submit to that inevitable malady,
that no remedy has yet been found TO cure,
or even relieve. The wretchedness of sea-
sickness deprives one of every anxiety
concerning safety. Indeed. In the worst
stages. the suggestion of a brief exit to
coral caves. and homes of Mermaids.
would be thoroughly appreciated il there
by ended the misery. Not the attendance
OF one of highlands most gallant. and
kindest-hearted surgeons. Mr.. Caldwell OF
the 'Cuba,-or daily visits from the genial
captain. Astounding in good humor and en-
livening stories,-or kind messages of hope
and encourag eme1t from our near neigh
bors of the Evangelical Allance,-or the
sunny face Of a CHEEKY lady friend, (es-
Gaping the malady.) whose kindness was
only equalled by her devotion TO her less
fortunate travelling companion.-or the
temptation of choicest delicacies. fruits.
jcllies, and wines OF all kinds, not any,
or all of these many supposed sources of
relief. give Won one less moment of reich
ing and nausea, or enable you TO estimate
ambition above insanity, that led you VOL
OF our one hundred and eleven passen-
gers. about two-thirls were more or less
i'll. Some OF the mascuines were worse
of than any OF the ladies', and usual,
were far more trou blesome. and impa-
tent. Oh. for such ones. who can describe
the happiness when the green shores of
Ireland came in view on that bright No
vember morning. The temporary illness
vanishcs a. we get into smooth water
champagne and ice are in great requsition,
the surgeon is jolly over speedy recov-
eries.-the ladies assume attractive tot
.ets,-the last promenade on deck by
moonlight is kept up N past Midnight
and amer all the little discomforts, We half
regret that acquaintances and friendships
here begun. must here end. Twenty-iour
hours from Queenstown We land at Liver
pool. The ride by rail across from Liver
pool 10 London 20o miles in les tnan five
hours, is rapid enough to suit the fastest
ideas Of young America. somebody said
Rare old London" which is verify true.
IL is the rarest city on the globe Tor fogs
and smoke in winter. There i 10 Ian
guage to describe the density of this mix
ture OF fog and smoke. and its effects upon
the new conner. The gas Is often burning
throughout the city at noonday-and stran-
gers lose their way in the crooked streets,
and apply TO policeman TO tell them what
part of the city they are In, no. you har
han Hamerican, ere his Ugh 'Olborn.
(meaning, Here, is High Holborn ST.
HI will put you hin han homnibus. and e
will set you down hall right hat the 'otel."
The police are always polite and obliging.
and when You are accustomed TO their style
of language, which is by no means singu-
lar in London, one can soon learn the ways
of this vast city. Owing TO the enormous
consumption of son coal In over four hun
dred thousand houses the heavy smoke fills
the atmosphere, and rests upon the build
ings giving all Of them a dingy gray color,
and even in the wealthiest quarters. dark
and gloomy appearance, which almost de-
presses the spirits Of one accustomed TO
clean buildings. clear atmosphere. and
bright skies. The nobility all leave the
sea-shore during the w'lter months. re-
turning in March with the sunshine and
flowers. IL is wonderful how robust the
people are living in such an atmosphere
and an American is at once struck by the
youthful and healthy appearance of the
ladies OF England. Our city bellies are but
shadows OF beauty in comparison with
these women. Ii is partly owing 10 Il more
sensible diet. and well ventilated rooms
where stoves and house furnaces are who'll
ly unknown. The open fire is everywhere,
and an Engishman complains of heat if
the mercury is above CO., or shiyers if be-
low 40'.
Ii is easy TO recognize an American girl
on Regent Street, [the fashionable prone
made of the citv,) by her thin features
almost colorless ace-exravagant dress
and ''I-don't-care" air. Certainly this
manner is conspicuous with too many of
our young ladies', both at home and abroad,
and is justly severely criticised by English
society. The temptations great TO expend
considerably in wardrobe, where silks. vel
vets, and laces are less than half the prices
in New York, and unfortunately too many
American women are noted here for their
estimate of the sum total of human happi-
ness, in outside display.
Prices OF board. in first class boarding.
houses. about the same as with us. Ii
should be less, as many household ex-
penses are lower especially servants
wages. An extra capable girl gets fl2
year, (e5 q month"; A man servant very
little more.
There is so much distinction here in the
classes OF society, that the economical cal
culstor Of expenses in London. finds him
self exceeding his limit for price OF board,
because he must not be found where any Of
the classes lower than himself stay. If
professional man, he must not board or