Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1886-11-05
MiseellamenMs,
Contributed 10 the Sentinel.
TRAVELS In EUROPE.
WAsnrNoToN, D. O., Oct. 80, 1886

Ny Dear Sue Your very prompt aud
emphatic reply to my letter, asking If you
really cared to hear about our European
trip of this summer, has convinced me that
you will not be bored by its recital, so will
begin at the beginning with the two.told
purpose OF entertaining you and impresslng
IL all on my own mind at the same time.
For, let me tell you, a three months trip 10
! Europe is apt to bring on-well--Pll call ii
cerebral dyspepsia--it Is not all digested
properly, and IL will require repeated doses
OF history, guide book, maps and "views,
diluted with my own private notes, 10 make
it assimilate at all.
We left New York June 18th on the
steamer Baltic, White Star Line, feeling
quite sober, as we sailed out and left our
friends on the wharf behind us; there was
no spray, and yet everybody seemed TO have
q little salt water in the eyes, so we all
turned and concluded 10 Ego below" | am
glad Beecher has exploded the idea of a
lIades or Sheol-because it is not pleasant
to 60 below even on shipboard One never
knows exactly what Is to be found when
one gets there. What we found was this
a CODY little state room with two shelves, II
sofa, tall made up rs beds,) II washstand,
stationery chair, towels, &c, all with perma.
nent-but;oned and tied back look, rs though
ready FOR some expected emergency. Soon
our steamer trunksan satchels were brought
in and tucked under the bcrths, and we re-.
allied that we had started across the track
less sea. ! thought OF Columbus and his
first voyage. We knew at least that there was
another side, he, poor fellow, only thought
50. II is not worth while to give you an
account Of our daily life, there being little 10
vary the monotony, which, however, was
very restlul. 70 Frank and Edith, the salt air
was exhierating, they walked, talked and
investigated every part of the ship, and un-
der the escort Of some Of the officers Edith
went everywhere but 10 the mast head.
Minnie and |, however, were differently af.
lected--it made Us quiet, and when once
wrapped in our fur coaks and tucked into
our steamer chairs, q Ia mummy, we lelt very
little more animation than those Egyptian
antiques, which we afterwards saw In the
British Museum. Still we made many
charming acquaintance, and after u few
days walked up to our normal condition
The ship, though not one OF the largest is
most admirably conducted, everything be-
ing done for the comfort OF the passengers I;
the table, that of first class hotel in every
respect. Even the ice.cream being Of the
best quality, frozen in New York and
enough carried over for the return trip, aud
best OF all, there was always plenty OF every
thing. We saw no such table again Till on
our way home on another steamer OF the
same line. Another thing made US very
happy, the steerage passengers were well
cared for Some Of our party went through
their quarters, and found all neat and com
! Portable, aud an abundance OF we'll prepared
food, much better than that 10 which they
have been accustomed. They are expected
10 bring their own bedding, for reasons
which will readily suggest themselves 10
any one who has once seen the homes from
which they often come The whole voyage
4 was like sail on a summer river, US II
usually is IN June, with little roughncss
only near the end, by which time we were
80 accustomed To the motion OF the ship as
not TO feel IT, Only two or three were sea-
sick, those who when on shore were more
spiritual than aquatic, III course there was
the usual concert gotten up by the passen.
gers, and seventy dollars raised for the bcnc
III of the orphans Of seamen, whose homes
are In Liverpool. Our captain conducted
the Sabbath service, using that of the Eng
lish Church, Of course, and remembering the
President Of the United States as well as his
own Queen in his petitions.
Alter nine days Of sea and sky, varied
only by the occasional sight OF a passing
vessel, or whale, we were gIaddened by
the appearance Of land In the distance. All
crowded forward TO catch the first glimpse
of green, the true emerald green OF the
Irish coast, which is most beautifully pic
tnresque. The frat thing 10 claim our at
tenton was Eastnet Light House, rising
from solitary rock which might have been
put there especially for the purpose The
physical geography of the country Is pecu.