Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-07-10
LOVE ON THE OCEAN.
THE STEAMERS ARE CUPIOS PET
HUNTING GoUNDS.

Opinions of Those Who Have Travelled
Much on the Sea Says Cupid Never Gets
. seasick-The Theory of Selection In the
Matter of Love Disproved.
The ocean has no terrors for the little
winged god of love, for he plies his mis-
chievous trade as vigorously af1oat as
ashore.
''Oh, no." said Mrs. Langtry at the
Hoffman House, on the eve of her de-
parture for Europe recently, Cupid
never gets seasick.
The Lily then laughed and remarked
how curious it was to be interviewed on
the subject just as she was about to start
on sea voyage.
"Of course, I have made many trips, +"
she continued, "and' I have always OBJ
served that there is more spooning and
sparkling aboard a transatlantic liner,
all things considered, in a week than
one could possibly see in a month on
shore.
''The ocean, I have therefore come to
conclude, must be the little mischief
makers particular delight" {"
"What reason do you ascribe it tor"
"Well, to begin WITH" she replied,
zone leaves dull care behind when one
steps ON board a steamer. Thus one's S
mind gets into condition for the light
er things of life, and you feel not only
at peace with all mankind, always con-
sidering, of course, that you are not in
the grasp of that monster, NAL de mer,
but almost in love with everybody about
you who is at all NICE"
'Do you recall any instance in prom
inent life where the love affair that led
to marriage began ON shipboard?"
Many, but do not ask me to tell you
their names. That would be personal,
you know"
Professor Jaime Ramirez, president
Of the Spanish-American club, who has
made many trips between his native
Spain and his adopted America as we'll
as between many other countries, said
that the question awakened myriad of
recollections Of Cupid's activity on the
briny deep.
''Oh, yes. have often wondered why
people should be so susceptible to love
on the ocean," he said "It must be be-
cause there they see nature in her grand
est and most awful aspect, and therefore
more readily become subject to her be-
nign influence ON the finer feelings. SEN
timent is stirred up as perhaps under no
other circumstances, and reveling in
high, holy and poetic thoughts follows
that lays the individual, if he or she is
properly constituted, open to the prompt,
ings of the heart, where love has it's
seat.''
The professor then drew comparison
between travel on land and water, con-
tinuing as follows:
''On the sea the air is fresh and pure
The effect is both purifying and refresh
ing, therefore exhilarat1ng 1t is only a
step from exhilaration to love-"
Another great traveller also grew phil
osophic when the question was pro-
pounded to him.
'tAbout five years ago." he said, 81
left Sydney for London ON the steamship
Orient, of the line of the same name.
"The voyage occupied six weeks, but
it passed so pleasantly that when it was
over it appeared as if it had been only
six days.
''Our route first lay through the In
dian ocean, and more and more romantic
seemed each mile we traversed through
those laughing, leaping, phosphorescent,
tropical waters. Concerts on deck, card
parties and games of all sorts helped us
to while away the time. There was
enough spooning behind the skylights
and spars every night, and all day for
that matter, of those six weeks to drive
Cupid crazy with joy. Before the voy-
age was over six engagements of people
who had never met before had been an
nounced and celebrated. 1t was the most
fateful voyage in this respect that have
ever had.
''On board steamer people are thrown
constantly together. They see. each other
under multiplicity of circumstances,
and therefore come to learn each other s
various peculiarities and points But
their view points or focus is naturally
contracted. If this Or that young lady
is beautiful, she seems to be still more
beautiful than she really is. If at all
nice, she will appear still nicer, and the
longer the voyage the more enraptured
you become When you land, and your
opportunities for wider observation un-
fold themselves, you are very apt to be
disenchanted, for then you realize that
your vision before was Of necessity dis
torted. 1t is glorious delusion while it
lasts, however.
"Would not the same be true," the
reporter asked, eff people happen to be
thrown together in a small place on
land?''
"Yes-that is, if their surroundings
have anything romantic about them,
and, above all else, are unusual In
other words, they must be away from
familiar haunts, sights and customs. :"
''That would disprove the theory Of
selection in the matter of love-, the re-
porter ventured.
"Of course" was the reply, sit is
nice to think there is somebody waiting
somewhere for you to love and by whom
to be loved; but, as fact, no one ever
goes in search of that mythical person.
Let young people be thrown constantly
together and before they know it-that
is, without exercising their tabled pre-
rogative of selection-they will be in
love with each other. Why, young men
and maidens, old men and women, for
that matter, are constantly marrying
people as far from the ideals they have
been known to describe as day is from
night or peace from war and being
happy forever after. 1t can be explained
on no other theory than the one ad-
vance. New York Journal
Mime. B0naparte.
Nine. Bonaparte's last days were
spent in quiet boarding house in Bal
timore. When questioned about her re.
ngious belief, Mime. Bonaparte replied
that if she ever joined any religion it
would be the Catholic, that being the
L. - L. L H.,