The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-11-23
Letter From Europe.

Letter From Europe.
The following letter was written by O..
u. Filkins, of Burton, who left last month
for Switzerland to remain for some tlme.l
DONEGAL BAY, IRELAND, Der. Is, "a.
We are just leaving this picturesque bay,
where we arrived early this morning In or
der to land some Irish passengers. Expect
to make Liverpool tomorrow morning,
wheifI hope to bid good bye to the sea for
many day.
The people OF this coast seem to be in
love with white wash, all the houses are
bright with 1t, and the green back ground
OF the hills only makes 1t more striking.
High hills slope to the waters edge which is
easy of access at almost any point; wind,As
along the sides of the hills and following the
boat, as 1t were, are many whtewashed
houses with grain stacks near at hand. Two
miles this long street continues. occasion
ally relieved by a lighthouse or q fishing
hamlet of dozen cabins. Out in the bay
the fishermen are rapidly hauling in their
lines and as the fish fall in the boat they
sparkle in the sunshine. Farther on we
pass the ruins of Donegal Castle, naught
but gray walls covered with creeping vines,
to tell where formerly some Irish lord held
his court
The sun is shining for the first time in
week and we poor land lubbers are begin
ing to think that life is worth living after
all. What horrible voyage we have had
ten days on the water, seven of which
nearly all the passengers were sick. The
accommodation on the Allan Line is inferior
to that of other lines, as we found out to
our sorrow. / would not wish an enemy a
greater harm than to take voyage on these
wretched boats. 1t was all right as long as
we were in the st. Lawrence river. So
long as we could have fresh air and exercise
we did not feel the lack of attention, but
when once we were fairly launched into the
Atlantic the difference between land life
and sea life was presented to us in very
forcibe manner; the sun refused to shine,
he water was black and dashed over the
deck and we were compelled to go below to
our state rooms. Imagine O little closet
about ten feet square, into it put four
shelves with sideboards for railngs and in
theses collins put spring mattresses and bed
ing, and you will have general idea of a
state room. Why they are called state
rooms do not know, unless it is because
the occupants are in state of misery from
the time they enter till they leave. little
. round window gives light and air to the four
wretches ncarcerated therein. When there
is heavy swell the beds are apt to be
drenched by the sea, consequently we were
not allowed to open the portfolios for week.
Ventilation was provided by some other
means, but it was totally inadequate to de-
stroy the foul oders which rose on all SIDES
Fancy yourself in such bed; at one mo-
ment you are forced upward by CONFUSION
of your mattress, the next, bang you go
against the side Of the vessel, to be followed
by jolt against the side of the shelf. Fin
ally you brace yourself with your knees and
back against the sides and drop into
as it violently calls for internal improve
ments. Your mates follow suit and soon
the air is foul with profanity. You feel
home sick, sea sick, sick as a dog-sick,
sicker, sickest, each degree being one humid
red times worse than the proceeding one.
Then is the time, if ever, when you feel
the need of some little bit to stimulate your
poor tortured stomach, but none comes; the
same old bill of fare greets your longing
eyes-great solid chunks Of meat, potatoes,
watery and billious-looking carrots and tur-
nips with some queer stuff called dessert,
which the English seem to enjoy greatly
what it is don't know for l have eaten
scarcely anything for week.
They say that sea sickness brings out all
there is In fellow and If fishes could speak
/ sure they would corroborate the state
ment. After several attempts to keep any
thing on your stomach you resolve to starve
yourself to death. The stencil below drives
you up on deck and the dashing spray forces
you below. Whittier to go, where to flee, is
the question.
To the doctor, of course and he very joe
ulary tells you that you are sea sick, but
that it will do you good, and when you tell
him that you can't stand it, he says you will
have to put up with 1t for the vessel cannot
stop on your account. Despair seizes upon