Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1890-04-03
FROM OVER THE SEA.
An Interesting Letter From Rev
HI. H. Beadle.


ond Presbyterian Church, writes an
interesting letter to the PIONEER. He
says, II write this sitting on the deck,
shut in, and filed up with the smell of
italian cooking, which is abominable."
The letter follows:
On BOARD STEAMER, "ORTIGIa,
In the Mediterranean Sea, Mar. 9th
What time we have had in more
sense than one since leaving Antwerp;
up sometimes at o'clock in the morn
ing sometimes at six. On the train or in
carriage by or $50 and travelling or
sightseeing until nine or ten at night,
way to bed; that is the way in which
we have been utilizing the time-a way
of living which would have made us
sick dozen times over had we been
at home.
We had q wonderful trip through
the mountains of Switzerland. On
Wednesday, Feb, goth, the weather
was superb, and it seemed like coming
back home to set foot in the shadow
of the Alps again. There was not
cloud in the sky anywhere, and it was
q perfec spring day at Lucerne where
we began it. The birds were singing,
and the air was sweet in the bright
sunlight At o'clock, we left the city
and the train climbed up the hills,
through wonderful tunnels, running
backward and forward, until at last at
noon we could look down and down
the dizzy heights and had reached the
mouth of the famous St. Gotthard
tunnel, 8 miles long, out of which we
swept toward Italy. Curiously enough
there was little snow on the northern
side where we would most expect it,
but on the Italian eide everything was
white, and the sun fell upon the tower
ing peaks and made them seem like
hills and walls of solid gold. About
sunset we crossed and ran along what
is called the fairest lake in the world
Lake Lugano-it was beautiful! At
night we reached Milan, and the next
morning before breakfast we climbed
the roof of the Cathedral, in order to
see the Alps from there, if possible, be
fore the mists should rise. The clouds
proved as troublesome and forbidding
as the mists, however, and we saw
nothing but their dark faces. Since
then, what have we not seen! So
much that it is not possible to recall
the half oft, and so fast have we been
pushed that it is hard to realize in
what city we are sometimes.
OF course we saw Rome and Naples.
and in a pouring rain we walked
through the streets and strange houses
of the partially unearthed city of Pom
peii. That was a strange walk, over
mosaic floors, just as they had been
covered up by the ashes Of the volcano
2,000 years ago, through guest rooms,
and dining rooms and courts, all with
mosaic floors or walls, or paint on the
walls as fresh as when the work was
done by the cunning workmen of so
many years ago. At the doorway of
one house was the word of welcome,
laid in stones, to greet all who came
into the house. In that same house
was the daughters room, the floor OF
which was made of beautiful bits of
mosaic work, in which were two doves
stealing Jewels out of her jewel box.
1t was curious thing to go through
their old deserted homes, and see the
work and homes of so long ago, and
wonder at the fright OF the people,
and what they thought and did in that
awful storm of lava and ashes, which
covered away their homes forever
from them.
We left Naples Wednesday evening,
and watched the lights of the beauti-
full city and the flashing fires of Mt.
Vesuvius until the rolling and tossing
Of the ship, sent us all in haste, down
to our berths, And what night we
had. All night long there was the
breaking of giasses and dishes, aud the
groans and cries of sick people. Not
a soul escaped, even the Atlantic
storm HlO not treat Us - dld this little
Sea, and not one OF u are quite over
it >e'. To-day w. are sailing under a
h. aptiful sky aud sun, past the island
of Crete, about 20 miles away to the
North. It's snow covered mountains
are quite clear, and with the glass,
we can see hunsr on the shore You
will remember for what the Cretans
were noted in PauPs time, they still
keep up their reputation it is said.
Tomorrow we will probably reach
Alexandria, aud sh-n we shall be ut
l-ast more comfortable, if not more
hap, Y. do not like sea sickness.
Yours Truly.
HEBER II. BEADLE.