Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-02-05
Letter from London,

LONDON, January ., 1879.
MeSsrs. Editors 1t has been suggested that,
during my absence from Vermont, | employ a
portion Of my leisure time in writing for the
readers OF the VERMONT WArcHMAN few notes
of my journey to Britain, and such other matters
as may come under my observation, and be OF
interest," in particular, that give any information
that may be able to obtain respecting the con-
dition OF the churches of England and Scotland
In view Of these facts propose to send you such
a number OF letters as time and circumstances
may permit.
Although the general characteristics of voy-
age across the Atlantic have been so often and so
fully made known, 1t may yet be in order to be-
gin ut the beginning. Well, then, it was on the
second Of October, in company with about one
hundred and eighty passengers, among whom
were three members OF my own family, en-
parked at New York for Liverpool on the steamer
Bothnia, of the Cunard line. The length OF
our voyage was exactly ten days. During the
first half of our voyage the weather was pleasant
for the season. the sea was not rough, there was
comparatively little motion Of the vessel and
consequently not a great amount OF sea-sickness,
and our progress towards our desired haven was
quite satisfactory. But on the fifth day out, or
rather on the evening Of that day, which was the
Sabbath, great change came over us; the wind
rose and WAS contrary. The ship rolled in such a
manner that it difficult to avoid being thrown
out OF ones berth. All were shut up in their
staterooms and forbidden to attempt to come on
deck. Water came into different parts OF the
vessel. The captain, and how many Of his
officers | know not, remained on "the bridge"
during the whole of the night though to lands
man 1t would be hard to conceive how any one
could maintain his standing in such place and
under such circumstances. But all the officers
and men performed their part with the utmost
promptitude and skill, and so, through the pro-
tecting care Of gracious God all excepting one
man passed through the storm uninjured. One
sailor was struck by an immense billow and
dashed against the bulwarks, and thus suffered
the fracture of one of his legs. The gale con-
tinued with more or less violence during the
greater part Of the remainder of the journey
All the passengers Of the Bothnia appeared to
be very kind and obgng in their intercourse with
each other-those who were well seemed disposed
to sympathize with such as were sick and afford
them all the assistance in their power. | had in
deed but slight opportunities Of becoming ac-
quainted with any on board, in consequence OF
with various degrees of severity the whole OF the
time from port to port You can form some faint
idea of my condition when tell you that never
once was well enough to take my place at the
table, when the times for the ordinary meals
came around though after all was not at any
time SO sick as many OF the passengers were. nor
as anticipated being when set out. partially
dressed myself at least once every day and took,
without assistance, few steps Of exercise in the
cabin passages. What was able to eat was
brought to me as sat in the open air on deck
during the first part Of the voyage or as | lay in
my berth during the last half OF it. could relish
nothing so much as glass OF cracked ice. OF that
article great quantities were consumed and with
II the ship was well supplied. The sea air pro-
duced thirst which nothing but ice could allay,
and that only as long as the ice remained unmelted
In the mouth-no sooner was one glass used up
than another was called for.
But remarked that while most OF the adult
passengers were Frustrated with sickness, a mum
Der OF children on board remained unaff ected, and
were able to amuse themselves by running about
almost as iovially as they may be seen to do upon
the street on any day.
We were but one Sabbath at sea- and on that day
to all who chose to be present; and that exercise
was followed by a sermon, preached by DIR.
Somervle OF Glasgow, who was one OF the pas
sengers. Though our great storm had not then
overtaken us, was too sick to be able to attend
the service On the last evening Of our voyage,
Captain McMickan introduced me to DR.. Somer-
Vile with whom was very sorry not to have the
means OF becoming more fully acquainted lie
appeared to be IA man Of marked talent and earnest
piety. ! had supposed that on the ships OF the
Cunard Company none but men Epscopally or
dained were ever called to ofciate as clergymen,
but now think that must be mistake for be-
lieve that Dr. Somervle. who is a thorough
Scotchman, had never received any other than
Presbyterian ordination. He Is, as understand
a minister OF the United Presbyterian church Of
Scotland
The ocean steamers do not come up to the docks
| at Liverpool as they do in New York-the Cunard.
| ers at least do not, they lie at anchor in the
| stream, and small steamer, which is called
tender, meets them there. and takes the passen-
| gers and their baggage TO the custom house,
where everything is professedy subjected to EXAM
nation, for the purpose OF ascertaining whether
any smuggling has been attempted. In our case
this piece OF business was very speedily aud very
easily accomplished there was nothing but polite
ness and courtesy on the part of the custom
house officer, though doubtless where any sus-
| picon exists Of an attempt to violate the revenue
laws OF the country there Is no lack of the neces-
sary decision and srictness to enforce submission
| TO them.
When we reached Queenstown, on the South OF
Ireland, some passengers and freight were landed,
and there we were first informed Of the failure of