Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1880-09-23
AGAIN ON THE MIGHTY DEEP
Sailing and Sailing Toward the
Setting Sun.
A JOLLY CROWD or BANKRUPTS
A New York Millionaire With Only
Four ShiIlings - Impromptu
Entertainments - Minstrels
and Fine Readings.
RELIGIOUS SERVICES AND LECTURES

Sept. 4.--AOoard THIS SELF. same AnctOrId
the very steamer whose name went through
the length and breadth of both continents
little less than three months ago, as the
victim Of a disaster which narrowly
escaped being fearful one, we have been
sailing for nine long days toward the set
ting sun.
Long days to many of our 600 passen-
gers, that is, for seasickness has had,
perhaps, an unusual hold upon those who
are subject to its mslign influence, during
this somewhat nasty trip, as our English
passengers Call it. There has been but
couple of bright days among the nine,
and not once has the sea taken on
its most peaceful mill-pond mood, which
characterized it during 30 many days
of our voyage over. but, neither have
we had what sailors cal! rough weather.
We have not had the decks closed to us,
with commands to stay in the saloons; nor
! yet, so far as l have heard, has any one
been thrown out of his berth, as some
times happens. But, it has been just
rough enough to make poor appetites and
| gloom for the many, and big appetites
and fun for the few. Just fancy being
comfortably seated on deck in your loung-
ing chair, your feet neatly tucked up in a
rug and book in your hand, ready for
use in that possible moment when the
everlasting small talk of the ocean steamer
shall wane. Round about are other COM
Portable individuals similarly arranged and
equipped, while here and there are yet
others who are more humbly located on
the deck ITSELF possibly listening to
poetry, which is gently hummed into the
bending ear. all is serene, the sky and
sea are looking their best, and the ship is
rolling Just enough to suggest the Ameri-
can rocking chair, as you sway gently
back and forth, when suddenly, puff
comes the wind, and lurch goes the ves-
sci and down to the railing of the sharply
inclined deck rolls and slides aud tumbles
the whole collection ofsanimate and mani
mate matter, while the exclamation of
establishment, shouts of laughter and
smashing of stray plates and mugs from
which invalids have been partaking of
weak nourishment, completes the charm
of scene which can never be reproduced
on any other stage and which one can
only experience or observe by going to
sea. Not the least comical feature of the
entertainment are the frantic scramples
made by the gentlemen in their vain
attempt TO rescue the ladies' from the gen
eral miscellany.
and these days on the ocean wave will
never be forgotten by your correspon-
dent, who, notwithstanding her direful
five minutes on the English Channel three
weeks ago, has found herself possessed of
as vigorous capacity for not missing u
meal, for sleeping soundly, for promena-
ding the decks indefinitely, and for enjoy
ing every moment of the voyage, as was
the case during the trip over, three
months ago. We happy mortals who are
not ill, do indeed have glorious time at
sea. Such amazing games of euchre as
We have played, seated fiat on the deck at
the stern of the vessel, on the lee-side of
of the wheel house, (the pretty stewardess
has Just informed me that 'lee-side" is
the proper nautical term, with a shawl
beneath us, and another on our laps
Alas that last game will probably never
be finished, and the score will always
stand at six for partner and myself, to
two for the weak side, with three end"
on the interrupted game.
Such long, fascinating hours as we have
idled away in our chairs, at the decks
edge, with the great circle of white. capped
waters around us, and bright stars or
cloud. .veiled sun above us. And how
many times has the determination to try
the test of friendship suggested in that
charming story, John Halifax, Gentle
man." failed of fulfilment, because of the
irresistible temptation which prevails on
shipboard to talk continually, and to give
golden silence no opportunity at all.
How many miles have we walked in the
countless c!rclings of our limited hurri-
cane deck, frequently inclining ourselves
at very strange angles in our endeavors
| IN with ,f ha nd
sometimes shooting off at comical tangents
when an uncalculsted lurch would come
just as we were turning corner.
And when other places have become too
crowded or too stale, have we not stolen
away to the prov of the boat, picking our
way through the crowds of steerage pas
sengers-a motley throng of over 400 poor
people, most of whom have left their
homes forever behind them in those far
lands from which we sail and being
awakened from our dreams and longing
looks towards the coming West, by an
eltish little sailor, with bright black eyes,
who suddenly emerges from some hiding
place, whips piece of chalk from his
pocket and draws line on deck before us,
across which, by the unspoken law for
these cases made and provided, we cannot
pass without paying toll Arabela and
got chslked the other day but we had to
sneak out ignnminiously for in the
pockets of London and Paris tradesmen
reposes the money once our own, and so
we shall not have it on our conscience that
we aided and abetted the poor mariner in
his vile appetite for whisky.
By-the-way, if there ever was Il happy
crowd of bankrupt individuals, it is our
cabin passengers of the ARchO19a! Ill
venture to say that in the united pockets
: of all of US who are home-bound, there
remains not score of pounds. Two ha'
> penny only can your correspondent call
; her own, but she rests with happy sense
, of security upon the pass from New York
to Boston which she could not turn into
British gold, and upon her friends for
hack-fares. | shall surely never forget the
shouts of laughter and Misunderstanding that
have followed the accidental exchange of
condolences among us as to the state of our
respective money markets. One highly
u respectable clergyman is possessed of three
shiilings young New York millionaire
had four, when he came abroad, and the
+ last shilling of 4 learned Professor went
+ over chalk line at the prov.
i But we have by no means been left ia
y ourselves to provide our own amusements,
g for early in the voyage, as soon as the first
{ stage of NAL de mer was passed. commit
i tee on entertainments was appointed, the
e chairman being Prof. W. A, Brownell, OF
New York, and their exertions have
q resulted in series of evening programmes
+ which have been thoroughly enjoyed 10y
b sll, and of which the most memorable
b features were the fine readings given by
I Miss Hattie S. Tozer, gifted and beauti
ii full young elocutionist rom Manchester
h n, H., and the concert by the ''Anchoril
Minstrels," " novices at the burnt cork pro.
If fession, who made the whole ship rims
e with laughter and applause at their comic
7. alities. We have also been greatly
favored by several afternoon addresses
II given by prominent divines on topics witt
n which they are specially familiar, til,
d finest of which was that on "The Relation
Il of Science to popular Thought" delivered
d by the Rev. Prof. Oaldirwood, of Edin
t burRh University whose works on menta
o philosophy are SO well known in tn,
scientific world. We have had religiou
Ie services every morning, and frequently
y also, the Rev. L. CLARK, of Syracuse, N
IS Y, has led services in the steerage. -
'e Our voyage over has been an ideal one
>. but it is now in its last hours. Can i
il really end? Will all this summers ex
s. perience-all these last beautiful days be
j. comelonly memories, only dreams of pas
ST that is utterly gone?
10 But my last bit of paper admolishes m,
d. 10 mt no more cOuupdrums but IN ea