The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-05-25
Paris Letter.
PARIs, FRANCE. NAV 8, L

PARIS, FRANCE, May 8, 1882.
The departure Of a large passenger
steamship is an interesting event, and
that of the Cimbria was no doubt SIM
liar to that of all the large traas-Atlan-
tic steamers.
For two hours before the boats de-
parture hundreds of people were COM
ing and going in and out of the cabins,
and with their coming was that of
many bouquets of all forms, but the
horse shoes were the greatest in num-
ber. Next came the ship, from the
full rugged dawn to the yacht, with the
words bon voyage written with red roses.
All, or the greater part of the floral
display, was in the first cabin, and a
count of the same showed the number
of bouquets to be over hundred, rep
resenting fully one thousand dollars.
These were offerings of those who re-
mained in America to friends, relatives,
or, may be, lady loves about to cross
the sea.
With the arrival of the mail at p.
M, the Cimbria left the dock at Hobo
ken, cheered by hundreds who but a
! few minutes before had been upon her
decks.
| The Cimbria is an iron vessel Of 5000
tons, having engines of $500 horse
power, two masts carrying eleven sails
and is manned by Hamburghers, who
are classed among the best sailors in
the world. Being close kin to the An
glo- Saxon, they equal them as seamen
The average is different looking Ger
man than is generally met in America
yet it would be difficult to describe the
difference; to know one must see.
Only those who have crossed the
Atlantic by the German steamers have
an idea of passage with a full list o
German passengers. Upon the sea al
upon land, the German enjoys himself
even if sea sick, he will soon rally, ant
then, as before, the flow of beer goe
on. Song and beer was not all th'
amusement, for there was the walk OF
deck, and here again the German wa
at home, as he was able to bring hi
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES to light. Thes'
conversations and interchange of tho
were only interrupted when the vesse
laid on her side, and all on deck wen
down to see what the trouble was with
the sea, but in rather a promiscuou
mass.
In heavy sea the deck of the Cim
bria looked similar to the side of .
house, and nearly all on deck coult
look to the top, as they rolled to the
ground as it were. AS this is writer
from actual experience, it is given as 5
fact
One not acquainted with ocean trave
has no idea of the power of righting
herself that vessel has, for at times
one or the other side of the deck il
down about to the water.
Passengers are not the only ones that
are attracted by the law of gravitation
for now and then an old salt can be
seen to slide down Old Grimes cellar
door, much to the amusement of the
passengers, whose sea legs are new.
Sea legs cannot be bought in New
York or elsewhere, for it is only by time
and experience that they are obtained
The term slide is a good one TO apply
to ones journey across an almost per-
pendicular deck, for if one tries to keep
the upright position the chances are
that he will take bath in the sea
This was nearly demonstrated by one
of the passengers, who thought to pre-
serve his dignity he must not sit down
upon it !; SO when he went down the
deck upon his feet handy rope JUS
saved him from going overheard. The
consequence was that the scare to him
was so great that he was unable to eat
dinner, while the writer, who kept the
former company in the downward
movement, was on hand.
The cabin passengers of the Cimbris
numbered ninety and among the mum
ber were some people of interest, Ohio
being represented by Mr.. George J
Gehring, of Cleveland, young scien'
tist known to many in the United
States and Europe. Mr.. Gehring is &
young man of good address, and i
health remains with him, will no doubt
be found among the leaders as scien
fist. Also, were we favored with an
other of the scientific habits, even lives
in the person of Mr.. H. Pittier, Swiss
attache to the Meteorological Service
Bureau at Washington. Mr.. Pittiel