Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-09-17
LETTER FROM LONDON.

LETTER FROM LONDON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
LONDON, Sept. 5.-My first letter was
written last Friday morning, the Sd.
We were then nearing Queenstown and
the passengers had TO have their letr ers
in the bag that evening. / stated III 1t
the weather bad been fine and the voy.
age delightful; and thus it had been up
to that time. About nine O'Clock that
night we could see what is called Bull
Light, placed upon some rccks about
10 miles from the coast of Ireland. We
were told we would reach Queenstown
about O'Clock Saturday morning, aud
we did. The stopping of the engines
of the steamer caused me to awake q
had become 30 accustomed to their
sound), and / dressed and went on
deck, out I got there only in time to zee
the lighter Ia small paddle.wheel
steamer) move off with the mails aud
most of the steerage passengers who
had come across with us. The shores
and many of the hills of Ireland could
be- distinctly seen. The Umbria imme
diately proceeded toward Liverpool,
and l returned to my stateroom, went
to sleep and was awakened by the bu-
gle call for breakfast, about 8 O'Clock.
An hour later the wind began to blow
great guns" raising high sea, and
the steamer rolled and pitch
ed fearfully. Occasionally the spray
would fly in sheets over the
forecastle and down rs far as the ga
loon entrances. Walking was out Of
the question save when one had hold
of railing, rope or something else.
The huge ship was kept listed to the
starboard, and at times it would seem
as though she would never right"
when heavy flaw would send her so
far down. This kept up all through
st. Georges Channel, and when the
ships course was changed at Holy
head it apparently afforded no RI lief,
although the wind was striking US at
the stern instead of on the port side as
was the case previously. The waves
were running very high, and during
our passage through the Irish Sea we
we're thoroughly shaken UP. We lost
sight of Ireland about 10 o'clock and
ran close to the Welsh coast on our
right and the high cliffs we're
brought prominently into view. About
4 O'Clock in the afternoon Brighton,
Blrkenhead, Waterloo aud Liverpool
began to loom up, and by 5 O'Clock the
steamer was of the landing stage
waiting for the CampaDia to move ou.
The latter steamer soon left aud the
Umbria took possession of her berth.
In few minutes time the passengers
were allowed to land, and then followed
a scene while the searching OF trunks for
tobacco, cigars, liquors and other duti-
able articles was in progress. My main
anxiety was the purchase OF return
ticket Oh the Lucania, which leaves on
the 18th for New York. had expert
enced some apprehension concerning 1t,
az the saloon bertbs are generally hard
to secure at this season of the year,
when so many persons are going home.
The purser had told me that one OF the
agents would be at the pier to meet the
steamer and bad better see him as
quickly as possible. The agent was
there-Mr. Moberly, polite and pol
ished gentleman, by the way. l ap-
prosched him and told him my busi'
ness, but he politely and reluctantly in
formed me that the Lucania's saloon
was full for that trip. told him was
sorry to learn it, as it was great dis
appointment, and I had fully determined
to leave on the Lucania at that time,
nv stay being limited. At this juno
ture he put his hand on my arm, led me
off the ship, handed me his card and
said "You jump into cab, drive as
fast as YOU can to the Office OF
the Cunard Company, show them
this card and tell them L say
hook YOU among the Lucania's saloon
nassengers." / told him my luggsg .
had not been examined, and that had
both cigars and tobacco, but Tor my
owniuse. He replied that that would
be- all right, and having entered a cab
7 was driven to the office, on Water
street. a few squares away. The clerk
eyinced reluctance at my application,
hut T placed the card on the desk ano
told him the order Mr.. Moberly had
given and was duly booked and hana-
ed ticket. saw Mr.. Moberiy again
and thanked him for his courtesy.
7 don't know when l ever experience
sd 40 great q relief. 1t is no easy
m alter to secure q saloon passage on
any steamer running from ports 10
Europe to New York during the months
of September aud October an they Will
not sell return tickets in New YORK,
and the anxiety concerning my return
would have marred the pleasure OF the
trip no little. Having secured my my
ticket I went back to the pier, from
which place the London and North
western train leaves, and at $50 o'clock
started for London, reaching here at
1890 o'clock.
In my next letter l purpose giving
some of my observations concerning
the great English metropolis.