Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-09-27
LETTER FROM ENGLAND.
LLANpuDNo, Wales, Sept. II, IS

LLANDuDNo, Wales, Sept. IL, 1876.
To tie Editor Of the hennebee journal.
We believe it is quite the proper thing to write
letters home to the local papers, when one is trav
cling abroad, although the subject matter may
sometimes be of the stalest sort, and upon topics
about which everybody is well informed. How.
ever, we hope we may be able to say something
which will not be entraly devoid of interest.
We sailed from Wiscassett for Cardiff Englan
the 2Sth of July. in the splendid new ship "Belle
of Oregon" which had just been completed by
Goss & Sawyer of Bath and was then going to
make her trial trip. We had the largest cargo of
deal that has ever been shipped from that port. Our
heavy deck load caused the ship to careen very
much on her right side, which position 10 the nau-
teal phrase is termed a strong list to starboard.
We had to nail cleats to the floor SO that we could
walk about. Racks were placed round the table
in order that the dishes would not slide off; but
tney proved about as useful another occasion
when we crossed by steamer, which rolled about
so that a leg of mutton jumped from the table a.
if re-animated, leaped the rail and passed over
the shoulders of two gentlemen sitting at the table
and stopping only when it came in contact with
the side of the ship. We had fine weather nearly
all the way and made the passage in twenty three
days.
When we arrived in Cardiff we received many COM
pliments upon the fine appearance of our ship. She
was acknowledged to be the best in the hal Dor
One captain remarked that she was the handsomest
merchant ship he ever saw. A gentleman who is
authority told that the best ships now come out
from Maine and New Brunswick. Certainly this
is speaking well for our Maine shipbuilders and
the shipping interest. Cardiff is town about as
large Portland but not much like that
beautiful city. Everything is covered with smut
and coal dust on account of the immense traffic in
coal, which is the principal export. From Cardiff
we went to Liverpool Business is very dull q,
this great mart as at home, but decidedly improy-
ing.
The English press is just now quite interested in
our Indian war. 1t is very interesting to listen 10
the discussions and read the comments upon the
current topics at home. The Englishman thinks
our Indian civil service greatly at fault. We
should have adopted, they say, their policy of
sending out thoroughly honest men as life com
missioners, and thus we should have had no more
trouble than they have had with the Indians in
Canada. Unless this is done they are quite sure
be, determination.
Many of the visitors to the Centennial have re-
turned. They were very much surprised and
pleased. But those who went out to study the
interests Of the working people, expecting to find
Utopia for that class were rather disappointed
Mr. Gladstone has lately written pamphlet and
delivered an address, in both of which he severe
ly censures the government for not taking more
sctive measures relative to the war in the East.
Mr.. Gladstone has been asked by the Radicals to
resume the Premiership should there be a change
IN the government. Since the elevation of Mr.
Disraeli to the Peerage. with the title of Earl of
Beaconfeld, there has been no one selected to fill
that position.
We are now spending week with friends at the
seaside. Llandudno is beautiful watering place,
built under the shelter of a rock called the Great
Orme's Head. The houses are handsome and
beautifully disposed along the coast in the form
of crescent, and command noble prospect of the
Irish Sea. Thousands of people spend two or
three months here in the summer, and then 90 to
that best Of all English resorts, Brighton, where
the season does not commence until September.
Our friends were quite indignant when we asked
them why they went to the seashore, and told
them of the American, who, when he came to
England, did not dare to venture out of doors at
night for fear he should fall off some cliff There
are beautiful walks and drives all around us. Las
Thursday we drove with party to Conway, and
visited old Conway Castle, which was built in the
time oil William the Conqueror, but still looms up
Is proudly as in its pristine days. From anv one
OF us hve towers commanding view i, obtained
OF the surrounding con try. We also went 10 a
mouse IN winch Qle,n + zaheth stopped when she
ing mansion, with crowns and coats of arms all
over the ceiling and walls. One of the farorite
recreations is stroll to the top of the Great Orme.
Passing through the Happy Valley" where the
band plays three times u week we ascend a
rocky path, climbing over two or three stiles on
the way, until we arrive at the summit where we
can breath the most invigorating and life giving
air, and at little white cottage get q bowl Of
mot delicious bread and cream all for sixpence
Tomorrow we 20 to Dublin for a few DAYS be-
fore once more sailing for that happiest of lands,