Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-10-15
A Visit to France in 1915 by an Octo-
Dpnariuu


Henry nh IN the Nugasjqe Of Americdn History
The schooner Selby, Captain John Selby,
sailed from New York for Nantes July ,.
1918, and | was on board as supercargO.
Our cargo of cotton was to furnish funds
for IA return cargo of silks and other goods
to he purchased in Paris. The last news
from France was that Napoleon was in
Paris marshaling his forces to meet the
allied armies. We had favorable Winds
and in twenty days were in the Bay of
Biscay. which we found swarming with
British cruisers. Surprising there might
be a blockade, we wished to avoid being
spoken. We were chased by three
British fr1gates, and the shot from
one of them nearly reached
us. bus we Outsailed them. One of
the frigates continued the chase until the
next morning, when we found ourselves
almost as far south as Bordeaux, and
near the coast. Sailing north, in sight of
land, we were surprised to see the BOur-
bon flag flying. The mystery was eX-
planned by the pilot, who informed us of
the battle of Waterloo, which had been
fought six weeks before. Napoleon at
this time July 26) was on board the Bel
lerOphon, oil the English coast. The day
following the Captain and | landed at
PainbTuf, where at our breakfast a crowd
of beggarS gathered before the door and
could be dispersed only by throwing
handful of sous among them. The most
rapid travelling then was with the courier,
and | rode with him two days and three
nights. The road all the way to Paris was
guarded by Prussian troops. and wherever
my passport had to be shown to the
French authorities it was examined also
by the PrusSian cOmmandants. Paris
seemed to be alive with officers and sol
diers of different nations, and on the 9th
of August the Russian Emperor, AleXan-
der l., reviewed his troops on the bOule-
wards. 1t was said they numbered 90 600.
| had good view of the Car, an uncOm-
monty fine looking man. He had fewer
decorations on his person than some of
his officers, and his horse was not so
richly caparisOned as theirs. In the cav
alcade there were the Emperor of Austria,
the King of Prussia, the Duke of yelling
ton, the Prince Of Orange, and other nOta-
bles. | saw at another time the veteran
Butcher exercising his soldiers. My
business in Paris was completed in
II days, and Il ride OF three days
and two nights with the courier
brought me to NanteZ. We sailed from
Painbpuf Aug. 81, and on the 23d of Sep
tember. when near the Jersey shore, en-
cOuntered the terrific and memorable gale
which did so much damage at sea and
along our coast. We were in great peril
but were mercifully preserved. In the
afternoon we had fine, fair wind, and in
the evening anchored at Sandy Hook. The
next day was the Sabbath. The morning
was lovely and, with fresh sOutherly
breeze, we sailed up the beautiful Bay
and HarbOr of New York, and / stepped
on the wharf just as the bells were ring
ing for church. The dreadful storm of
the day before, ''amid the roaring of the
sea-" and the events of the past u weeks
how different from the solemn and de-
lightful services in the house of the Lord !
And thus ended my first visit abroad,
when / was nearly 81.