The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1878-08-09
CAPTAIN HARVEY.
Victor IIngo's Splendid Tribute to nm
English seaman.

Victor IIMgO's Splendid Tribute to nm
English seaman.
1t was in the summer of 1867. At
Paris the Worlds Exposition was daz-
cling Europe with its splcndor there
were wonderful things there ;-among
others Krupp gun upon pedestal,
and the Emperor Of Franco was con-
graduating the King Of Prussia.
1t was the grand period of prosperity.
Never were the prescribed regarded
with so little favor. Some of the Eng
lish papers styled them "rebels.''
In that very summer upon a certain
day in July passenger was making
the trip from Guernsey to Southampton.
That passenger was one of the rebels
above mentioned. He had been a
representative OF the people in 1861
and had been cxiled ON the ID of
December. This passenger, whose
name it is not necessary to give In
this connection-for he was only the
cause of the fact we are about to relate
had the same morning embarked at
st. Pierre-Port upon the mail packet
Normandy. The passage from Guern-
sey to Southampton occupies seven or
eight hours.
It happened to be the time when the
Khedive having done homage to Napo-
leon came to pay his respects to Vict0-
ria and that very day, the English
queen favored the Egyptian viceroy
with Il grand review of the English
fleet, in the roads Of Sheerness, not
far from Southampton.
The passenger of whom we have just
spoken was Il white-hafrei mana
silent observer of the sea. He stood
near the helm.
The Normandy had left Guernsey at
ten O'Clock that morning ; it was nearly
| three O'Clock in the afternoon; she was
approaching the Needles, which mark
the southern extremity of the Isle of
Wight; already were visible the wond-
ers Of that wild and lofty architecture
of tho sea, and those colossal peaks of
| chalk uprising from the ocean like
the spires OF some prodigious cathedral
submerged; the vessel was about to
enter tho river of Southampton !; the
helmsman commenced to steer the
vessel to larboard.
Inc passenger was looking at inc
Needles, when suddenly he heard his
name called he turned, and saw the
captain of the vessel standing beside
him.
The captain was about the same age
as himself; his name was Harvey {;
ho had very broad shoulders, white
whiskcrs, face brOnzetl and resolute,
but q merry eye.
els it true, SIR" he asked, ssthat you
wish to see the English fleet T'
The passenger had not expressed
that wish, but he had heard several
ladies who were with him evidence
the desire strongly.
He contented himself with replying:
ttBut, captain, your route docs not
lie that way"
! The captain returned:
sIt shall be my route if you SO lesirc.''
astonishment for the moment.
"What change your route c?''
eyes"
"Mcrcly to please mc?"
aYcs.''
uNo French vessel would do that for
me-"
"What French vessel would not
do for you,' said the captain, can
English vessel will do.'
And he continued
"Only, in view of my responsibility
to my superiors, express for me your
wish in writing on my book"
And he presented his shipping book
to the passenger, who wrote at his die
St\sAOhy - "AoAl w oCS viz
fleet" and signed his name.
~ moment later, the vessel vcercd
round to starboard, leaving the Needles
and Southampton river OH the right,
and entered Shecrness Roads.
The spectacle was truly grand. All
the batteries mingled their smoke and
their thunders; the silhouettcs of the
mighty cuirassed ships filed in hugh
ranks through ruddy fog; vast
mingling of masts distinct and indis-
tinct loomed through the mist and
tho Normandy glided amongst these
towering shadows, saluted on her way
by cheers. 1t took moro than two
hours to traverse tho English fleet.
About seven O'Clock, when the Nor
mandy arrived at Southampton, she
was dressed.
One of Captain Harvey's friends, M.
Rascal, editor OF the Courier dc PEu-
| rope, was waiting at the wharf uc
was astounded to see the vessel dressed.
'For whom have you been dressing
the vessel, captain? For the khctivc?"
The captain answered:
t'For the Refugee"
For the Refugee. Translate that,
IipT T,u,,,e