The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-08-31
LETTER FROM BRO. ]. H. SWAN.

MAINz. Aug. 10. 1895.
To the Editor of THE UNIvERsALIsT:
follow my old custom, and now at
tempt the usual one letter my heart i'm
pels me to send you on each Of our
journeys abroad.
We left Chicago, as you know. July g.,
in time of extreme heat which followed
us to the ocean and even for the first
four days of our voyage. Indeed the
heat was Of such intensity that two poor
fellows who we're among the stokers.
paid the penalty Of their lives, for our
sakes, and even then the speed OF the
paris" was said to be less than the
usual rate. but the trip over the ocean
was most unusual in its calmness. Mrs.
Swan, poor sailor, and heretofore in
variably afflicted with illness to such an
extent as only to appear at the table at
infrequent periods, was regular board
er, and had no affecting experiences
such as have heretofore been constant
attendants on the seven crossings she
has now made.
Landing at Southampton we went
at once to London. where we only re
NAMED little more than week; then
crossing from Dover to Ostend, from there
to Brussels, where our daughter and her
son James joined us from Paris, where
they had been a little more than a
month. From Brussels we all went
north to Antwerp, the Hague, and Am
sterdam. At the latter place we passed
several days. AS to the matters that
usually interest the tourest, l will not
write; they are familiar to every one
who reads or travels-but if l shall for
get all that saw, there will yet remain
with me certain impressions as to the
country and it's inhabitants. On enter
| ing Holland, one has only to look around
him to be convinced that the people
are industrious. thrifty. and patriotic
aud a prolonged acquaintance, / think,
will add the further characteristic, re-
ligious. Evidently for generations they
have had fight on hand with the ele-
ments. What a love for their native
land is evinced in the dykes, and canals
on every hand! Eternal vigilance" has
been not only the price of their liberty,
but Of their existence. How could such
a people be less than religious? They
could not forget the Infinite Power that
was above all the elements; and so it
seems to me, what has been perpetual
menace, has been as we'll an incentive to
reverence and trust.
But one thing troubled me while there
viz, the language. In heaven above
or the earth beneath. l believe there is
nothing like it, but their kindly forbear-
ance, and patience with "the stranger
within their gates" atoned for my ignor'
ance and their unpronouncable words.
| must not forget to mention that the
bible Hotel" this printed in good
honest English) was our home while in
Amsterdam. commend most heartily
to all travellers or tourists, the kindly
host and courteous servants of the Bible
Hotel.
Yesterday we left Cologne coming as
far as indicated by the heading Of this
letter. The day was perfect. and the
ride one not soon to be forgotten. To.
night we go to Frankfort to remain there
few days. going on to Geneva. where
we hope to pass Sunday Aug. 18th; and
where Mrs. Lawton and james will take
their leave of US. going back to Paris. to
sail for home August "A. From &C.
neva we shall go to France. aud il not
sooner called home. sail the 9TH Of De-
tober.
The one thing more than all others,
that fixes itself 10 my mind in all these
journeyings is this.-of thanktulness for
country. home and the friends that have
made life to us full Of Joy. and blessing =
but must say good bye. as the porter is