New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-30
EALLLNG DAY.

Several hundreds of hot and tired Americans
went aboard the outward bound steamships yes
terdav morning, and awake to-day on the breezy
oceon somewhere in the longitude of Mount
Desert. If custom has not yet dulled their r lish
for the novel scenes and petty incidents OF the
beginning of the voyage, they are enjoying now
one of the happiest portions OF their holiday.
Except the last day of the hOmeward voyage,
there is nothing in the sea trip more delightful
than the first day out. The wise traveller goes
aboard in ample season, and before the hurry
and confusion of leave-taking are at their
height he sets his cabin in order, unpacks what
he needs for the night, and then goes on deck
with mind ut rest. He watches the excited
crowd around him with a curious sensation OF
being in it and yet not part of it. The people
who grow hot and hurried and talkative as the
sailing hour approaches are those who are pre-
senty going ashore. The tourist enjoys already
a foretaste of that blessed repose which constl-
tutes for so many Of us the chief charm of the
Summer sea.
To the man who has been worrying and work
ing hard for years, the first moment OF the
VOYAGE brings feeling of indescribable COM
fort. The throng has disappeared from the
deck and saloon, and concentrated itself upon
the wharf. The Gang-plank has been removed
the rails are closed the last hawser IS hauled
IN; then after an instant of expectation, the ship
begins to move; and the jaded traveller
brcathcs frecr in the consciousness that for at
least eight days nothing will worry him, and he
caunot possibly be in a hurry. lie waves his
handkerchief to the friends on shore, and per-
hans he tries faint echo of their cheers; but
if is strange how quickly delicious sense of
laziuess comes over HIM, and his interest IN
the land fades away. As the steamer gets her
course and speeds down the river, he lounges
acainst the buwarks, aud langudy watches
the rctreatmg piers and distant spires with n
vague impression that he has 10 more concern
with these objects. and that the people on the
ferry-boats arc much to be pitici. The beau
iful sail across the harbor, aud past the Staten
Island forts, seems more beautiful than ever,
INIT uobo ~ siys much ahoHt it; the passengers
are disposed 10 quiet, and there IS little to break
the stiffness on deck except the steady pulsa-
tons of the screw, and the Tapping OF the
awning as it catches the breeze.
Happy are they who sail in the early after
noon. The sunshine, tempered by the cooling
wind, brigh,ens everything around. The
waters are dancing over the broad bay, the city
sparllcs in the distance, the white sails gIeam
against the green shores of Staten Island, the
hare beach OF Sandy Hook lies dead ahead, aud
the ship seems to be running struight upon it.
Bat bell sounds in the wheo-hOuse, and
swinging around sharply at right angles with
her former course, the steamer points her head
10 the open sea. A little schooner is lying
there lust across the bar. and two men in a boat
are resting on their oars. They pull alongside,
10 take on the pilot, and "a that worthy clam
bcrs down the rope ladder, cheers are seat after
him; and something is lowered IN bottle.
Having severed the last connection with the
shore, the vessel starts of full speed, to sop
no more TIL she reaches the British coast. At
tIiis interesting period Of the voyage, the pas
scugcys will be summoned to dinner, and, for
the only time probably durinA the eight days
transit they will see Il full table. 1t viii be
loue meal and Il pleasant one. Everybody will
be hungry and good -naturcd, and curious about
the names and characters Of other people.
There will be Il general desire to know what
kind Of man the captain is, and great interest
in the accomplishments of the cook, and the
qualifications Of tue chief steward. When the
travellers return to the deck the twilight will bc
far gone, and the low coast of Long Island lost
in the gathering gloom. Night and sleep will
come before the waves arise ; and the travellers
will wake refreshed TO the strange new life
winch begins for them on Sunday morning.