Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-04
" Down by the Sea-"
STEAMER CAMBRIDGE,

STEAMER CAMBRIDGE, August 20, 1878.
At half-past five yesterday afternoon, we glided
slowly out of Boston harbor, on our way "down
east" As soon as my bundles were safely slowed
away, repaired to the upper deck to get good
view of the harbor "a we passed out
one of the most striking experiences of leaving
any seaport in hot weather is the sudden change
of temperature almost the moment we leave the
wharf and push out upon the water. 1t had been
AN oppressyely warm day in the city-ny coat II
burden To me, borne sometimes ON my back and
sometimes on my arm-but as soon as we were
fairly atoat cool breeze sprang up, and before
we were half way out of the harbor | had got
very comfortably into my overcoat turned up the
collar thereof around my neck, after tying my
pocket handkerchief abont ii TO assist the coat
collar in keeping out the wind, and even then a
little increase of temperature would have been by
no means dsagreeable.
Boston harbor, as is well known, is full of
islands, on some of which are the government
forts and other public works and Institutions the
Others being used as places of residences summer
resorts, etc 1t is very picturesque and the pas
sengers sit in large crowds upon the decks of
steamers passing out, until we are fairly out
side" when we have on one side but the dim out
line of the distant coast, and the other the IL
lmitabe sea. But even then | still sat upon the
upper deck and contemplated the grandeur of the
fathomless deep, and the rapidity and compara-
tive safety with which men traverse in all direc-
tons its turbulent and uneven surface
And here /. one of the inexplcable marvels
which meet us on every hand-which seems more
marvellous than ever a. stand upon the top OF
a. .l.,l I ..,l, 81 .f,. IL.
the surface of the water, and look at the immense
mass OF matter between me and it-of lumber and
machinery, OF merchandise and human beings,
aud wonder more and more at the tremendous
buoyancy of water asked the purser what was
the capacity of the boat and he said it was three
or four thousand barrels" asked how much in
loeight, how many tons, but he seemed to know
nothing about that, whereupon | went to the
captain and asked him what was the capacity of
the boat, to which he replied
"Abont four thousand barrels, sir
But even he could tell me nothing of the num-
her of tons she would carry, and concluded his
custom was To load till she was flR and trust to
the waves TO bear up the mighty burthen.
The steamer il large one, trst-class in some
respects but in others not quite up to it. The
cooking is especially bad. 1t Is execrabe. 1t is
yillainous The walters were polite and attentive,
II they had had anything that was edtabe. The
captain was genial and obliging, as little Incl
dent will illustrate. He had ordered the planks
10 be taken in and the hawsers to be cast of from
a certain wharf, when somebody came and told
him that the wrong trunk had been carried ashore
for lady passenger, and that the RICH, one could
not be found.
" Make fast your lines there" said he without
a moments hesitation, lay the boat alongside
the w'arf, and wen find that woman's baggage II
it takes all the forenoon" Aud he went down
himself tn help hnd it, Invited the lady 10 " come
aboard" and they soon fshed it out.
But my own port Is nearing and | will again
come ashore" WILLou0HBY,