Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-10-06
LETTER FROM GERMANY.
Third DAY RACES

H. T. Pierce, Climber Jim, 1321223
LETTER FROM GERMANY.
Berlin, Sept. Sd.
Dear Monitor, -Voyages to Europe
are now SO frequently made, and de-
scriptions of them 50 common. that in
giving my own experience, | feel my
self embarrassed with the feeling that
I am repeating q more than ssTwic..
Told Tale" and that nothing hut an
interest in the writer IS likely TO Sc
cu,e readers for his article.
We left New York August 21st
on the steamer estate OF Georgia
bound for Glasgow. Old sailors told
us we had reason to congratulate our
selves on the character of the weather
and the condition of the sea during
our passage. We encountered no
storms; the days were often pleasant
with sunshine, and the nights beauti-
full with clear light of the full moon
reflected upon the sea. When near
the banks of Newfoundland, however,
we ran into a dense fog, and for
nearly two days had to sail over
heavy sea made rough by a wind
which had preceded us. The violent
tossing of the vessel amid the angry
pillows, and the dismal sound of the
fog-horn constantly repeated, gave
the inexperienced taste of sea life
in one of its rougher phases, and of
which there Is no desire for repe
tition. Fogs are the sailors chief
terror in crossing the Atlantic. I'm
der such circumstances the most
sleepless vigilance may be bafied in
its attempts to avoid collisions.
Early Sunday morning, Aug 31st,
the 10th day of our voyage, the green
shores of the Emerald Island
greeted our sight, and not long after
those of Scotland appeared. Our
sail up the North Channel and the
Clyde was one which we shall long
remember with unalloyed pleasure.
The coasts on either side presented
picturesque scene whose features
were continuously varying. An al
formation of rough, jagged hills or
mountains with intervals of land I'M
der the highest state of cultivation,
whose fields were beautiful with gold
en- grain, or alive with grazing cattle,
entertained us with view too re-
freshing to weary, and too varied to
grow monotonous. There is much in
the general aspect of Scotland to re-
mind one of Vermont. The remark
was made that no wonder that so
many of its people found Vermont a
a congenial home.
Something of the joy we felt at
this first sight of land was, without
doubt, due to the fact this was our
first sea voyage, during which for
nine days, we had seen nothing but
vast waste of waters, the only re-
| lief to the sameness, aside from ouI
own company, was the petrels and
sea gulls following in our wake, and
the occasional meeting Of a ship.
To fully appreciate the state Of
our feelings one needs the light of :
similar experience. l think that
can now more adequately conceive Of
, the emotions with which Columbu:
first beheld the new world.
The sail up the Clyde is of specia
! interest from the fact that on its banks
is the the greatest ship-buildmg place
in the world. For miles It's shores
are lined with ship-yards. Vessel
of every kind, in all stages of con
; struction. are to be seen; and tn
din of the workmen's hammers is al
most deafening.
We reached the port of our destin
: alton Monday q. M, Sept. lst
Glasgow is large, busy city, with
: gradual, but constantly swelling pop
I ulation. In these respects it is nc
q unlike New York. The most inter
u esting sight to be seen is the famou
: Cathedral, whose origin dates bac
n in the 11tb century. One feels we
repaid for Il few hours spent in ii
y inspection. And yet, with the eS
e ception of its magnificent entrant
IS hall and it's stately columns, most {
1t its general features, its stained viii
2. dows adorned with scenes from I'll
1t Bible, are to be seen in any fir:
class church of the Catholic persu;
sion in America. To be sure, II
pairs are constantly made. Only +
Gently q new roof has been addet
The inquisitive might he tempted
he ask how much of the original bulldir
SIS still remains. The circumstance +
he calls an incident in Irving's visit
IN Shakespeare's home. An old lac
nc showed him chair in which, she 50
the poet was accustomed TO sit. b
privately informed him that owing
the grert zeal of devotees ii was he
essary to rebottom it once yea
A pleasant ride of an hour al
twenty minutes brings you to Edi
burgh. The country through whi'
we passed presents on every hand e
idence of thorough cultivation. n
a foot of waste land was visib
Those large and magnificent forest
whose presence is source of healt
profit and beauty in cur own countl
are here conspicuous by their absent
However, pleasant groves are oft