Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-01-29

lions and betting in regard TO her nationality,
and a shout Of triumph from the victors as a
nearer view settled the disputed point. One
day we hal a picnic Shawls and rugs served
for meadows, umbrellas were fixed up for
grove; we tried to make things look as rural
as we could in mid-Ocean. The gentlemen
exerted themselves to be agreeable. They
performed Hippodrome and convulsed the
whole party over their rendering of the bal
cony scene from Romeo and j uliet.
When the deck lost interest we repaired to
the ladies' parlor and the doctor sang for us.
We invariably fell TO tender musing over
Schuberts LtedT and the soothing aecOmpa-
niment TO their melody of the low splash OF
waters outside the cabin windows
The long, pleasant evenings were spe It on
deck. Directly after dinner came our "cCn-
stltutlOnaP walk, the most delightful event
of the whole day. It was then that the
sailors, as the breeze sprang up, generally
hoisted the sails, singing, as they did so,
t tnedr low, quaint songs then that we en-
Ing glow faded out of the sky, watched for
hours the myriad stars above and their coun-
terparts below in the low, foaming wake OF
After ten days out we sighted land. late
one afternoon. Ever since luncheon we had
been ON deck, trying TO distinguish some
thing beyond the faint while line that skirted
the distant horizon. AS we descended TO
dinner lighthouse, here and there, could be
seen through the glass. 1t was at dessert
thata glimpse, through one OF the port holes,
was caught, which sent the whole party at
full spec on deck.
A gorgeous sunset sky gave a purplish
t1nge 10 the almost rippleless water. The
sharp, jagged Needles, and beyond the
friendly green OF Lizards Point, rose up but
a short distance from us. Three times our
nag was shot up, and the signal returned
from the shore. We knew that our safe ar
rival would be announced the next morning,
three thousand miles away. How strange 1t
seemed To think ourselves on the other side!
The increased whirr OF the machinery and
jerking bang OF the screw, which was ALWAYS
tuggestive OF an enraged animal, had at last
ceased for a time, and we lay r1otionless.
Two men came out in a low boat To our
steamer, Tor some purpose. "All rightp'
they shouted 10 the sailors as they left. We
leaned over the side and watched them far
out OF sight with friendly feeling, just be-
cause they had spoken English.
The Isle OF Wight lay close at hand the
next morning. The most of the passengers
were preparing to leave the steamer. We
were called from the bridge, where our at
tentiOn had been divided between the glo-
rious view and the antics of the old pilot, to
going TO Bremen with us.
A small steamer came out for them, the
baggage was lowered, and we started on
again up through Southampton waters to
passed little below. She was resplendent
In boating stars and stripes-altogether
seemed To be in holiday dress. There was
an entertainment, given by the officers,
going on aboard. The guests were Just ar
irving. Two officers. with several marines,
passed In rOw-b boat across the wake of our
leans, in spite OF the Prussian colors float
ing just above our heads; at any rate, they
gave us profound bow.
recall the delight with which we viewed
everything lew and strange as we sailed
into haTbOr-the active little city, the
beauty OF the surrounding country, and the
Understandable charm of the Isle of Wight.
The Marine hospital, q little one side of the
city, is pleasing feature in the landscape.
The fresh, green lawn, which slopes down to
the waters edge, IL dotted with white tents,
ard enlivened here and there by the scarlet
coat of British soldier. Inf.