The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-17
THE GREEN ISLE OF ERIN
Revisited by an IndianapOlitan-The Outside
and the Inside of Its Troubles.
Correspondence of the indianapolis Journal.


little account is taken of it, yet for all that tits
big thing to cross the stormy Atlantic, espe-
cially to those who have never made the trip, as
is the case with a majority of passengers on
board every steamer crossing.
We left New York at 2 o'clock P. NJ. May 81,
on the steamer Scythla, of the Cunard line, with
2l7 frstclass and 1877 steerage passengers.
There was the usual crowd, handshaking, kiss
ing crying waving of handkerchlefs, ETC., as
the time of departure arrived. Our steamer
swung out into North river, quickly passed down
the magnificent bay, through the Narrows, and
we were soon feeling the ceaseless pulse of Old
Neptune. The usual complement of passengers
is found on board. All trades and professions
are represented in the list, as well as half doz-
en- nations. Of course bridal couple is found
among the number They are all attention to
each other at first, but the second day all senti-
ment has vanished and they look like
they had been sent for and couldn't go.
Few escape qualmishness, if not positive sick
ness Rough weather is encountered, and few
persons have the courage to appear at the table
at meal time A couple of pleasant days follow,
and most of the passengers right up. Two re-
lgious services are held on Sunday. On Tues
day evening an entertainment is given, that is
quite enjoyable; and thus the days pass
A poor Englishman, potter by trade, and his
wife and two children were in the steerage The
man had gone to America to seek his fortune
He located at East Liverpool o. Consumption
had fastened itself upon him. He knew that his
end was near. He wanted to die in old England
The benevolent people of East Liverpool made
up purse, and purchased tickets for himself
and family to Liverpool. On the evening of the
sixth day out his spirit passed to the God who
gave it. His body was sewed in a sack
of heavy duck, with large weight at his
feet In the early morning of the following
day, while most of the passengers were
in bed, his body was placed upon a
plank feet outward, and it pushed partly
out the gangway opening. The Vicar of ST.
John, England, read brief burial service, a
prayer was offered, the plank was tilted, the
body slid off, striking the water with a splash
Turning about as it did the head gave bow
and the waves closed over it, to be hid by them
until He ''who stitch upon the circle of the
heaven" and 'holdeth the sea in the hollow of
His hand" shall command the restless deep to
give up its secrets. The poor wife and children
were not permitted to witness the burial. The
body might quite as we'll have been cared for
and taken on to Liverpool, but sailors will not
permit such thing to be done. A collection
was taken in the first cabin for the widow and
her children, which amounted to about $780,
which would enable her to open a little shop
when she reached home. Sailors are the most
superstitious people in the world, even more so
than the negro in the South. A man recently
died on shipboard within sight of land, but his
body was cast into the sea. His wife came
dow RI Il IN
husband, and when told that he had been cast
into the sea the day before, she threw up her
hands and in piteous tones said so, why didn't
you bring me his body, that 1 might look upon
It'll" and fell back into swoon. That it was
most barbarous, no one will doubt. This thing
must give way to the civilization of the age.
The Cunard company has been doing business
quite while on its reputation Other compa-
MES have been making improvements in their
steamers and speed The result is the Cunard
company, notwithstanding its conservative poll
cy has been obliged to move up People don't
only want safety, they must have comfort and
expedition in these times. The ScYthia and two
or three other steamers of the Cunard company,
sailing between New York and Liverpool were
1rst-class ten years ago; but are so no longer.
The result is that other lines have been getting
the business. This has led the Cunard company
to build the SerVia and 1rania, and to pur
chase the Oregon. They are also building two
other fine steamers.
The first sight of land is always pleasant one
to a voyager. On the morning of the ninth day
out, the rock-bound coast of old Ireland doomed
up through the mists with which theV were
yelled. AT in the afternoon the throbbing
of the steamers heart ceases and
tug is soon alongside to take off
about so passengers for Queen stown. l am of
the number The harbor here is very much like
the one at New York. We are soon at the dock,
and passed the customs, which only calls for to-
bacco, spirits, and re-arms and after twenty
minutes by rail- we are in the old city of Cork,
from whence some of our fathers and grandfath
ers came, The city had about 80, 900 inhabitants
in 1910. 1t has about the same number now.
We spent day at Blarney Castle. The ride is
most enjoyable. Five of our party kissed the
blarney stone though it's difficult and perilous
thing to do 1t remains to be seen if it imparts
additional gifts of speech. We visited the lakes
of Killarney which are singularly beautiful and
here we are in the chief city of the green isle,
OLD IRELAND
Is the most beautiful country on the face of the
earth, doubt not. Six years ago made tour
through northern Ireland and so have seen quite
good deal of the island. But, while this is true,
there is more poverty here than in almost any
other part of the world. 1t cannot be charged
to English rule, for Scotland, not so fruitful a
country as Ireland, has practically the same gov
ment and not 1.-THE of the poverty and wretch
edness There two things that make the
difference, viz The Celtic nature and Popery.
Whisky is great enemy, but the Scotch drink
more of it than the Irish. l am satisfied that
England is giving ireland a better government
day than she could give herself. I am not
speaking now of the question of human rights
Northern Ireland is Protestant and there you
will find factories, thrift and prosperity. The
natural advantages of southern Ireland are
quite as great as any part of the island, but
there are few factories, little thrift and much
poverty Southern Ireland is Catholic. Cork
has not grown any in fifty years. Belfast has