The Newtown bee., 1906-02-23
ACROSS THE SEA.
REV E. J. E0AN OF SEABRI0HT
 N. J.,

REV E. J. E0AN OF SEABRI0HT, N. J.,
 WRITES CONCERNING THE ATTRAC- TONS OF IRELAND.
 Navan, Meath County, Ireland, January 30, 1906. To the Editor of THE BEE:
 Dear Sir: When we met on the train early last December and l to!d you that proposed making visit to Ireland, you asked me to send you some letters descriptive of my travels.
 promised to do so and in con compliance 1atSs 1 with that promise send this letter, yet do so with dif1idence-- Travelling 1 is so common now, and books of travel so numerous fear that what write may seem trite and banal. But l do know that the people of NeWtown follow with interest her sons and daughters whose fortune takes them to distant parts. I had visited Ireland before. I had no desire to see her shores again. Should be enabled to travel again would prefer some land, such as Spain, which 1 had not yet seen. However, a wealthy friend who had taken house in Ireland for the fox hunting season, cordially and ur- gently invited me to be his guest. The trip would cost me nothing, and great sport was awaiting me on the other side. The offer was irresistible, and l accepted. My friend sailed in Novem- Der, but as could not arrange to go so soon, it was decided that come over after Christmas. Accordingly my berth was secured, and I left New
 York on the Steamship Oceanic, " December 27. When was in Ireland yards of Harlan and Wolf at Belfast, the greatest object of interest there was the Oceanic" the largest ship in the world, just nearing completion. l She is seven hundred and four feet long. There have been built since then ships of greater tonnage, but not more than one or two that exceed her i in length; and then only by four or six feet. She cost between four and five million dollars. So I was interested in the steamer, having seen her in her ''cradle." AS she sailed at 30 a. m., in order to get over the bar at high water, went abroad the night before. When I came out on deck the next morning we were off Sandy Hook, just launching out on the broad At- lantic with voyage of twenty-etght hundred miles before us. For two days
 THE OCEAN WAS CALM AND PLACID.
 Sitting in the library, smoking room, or dining saloon OnelwOuld fancy he was a guest in a fashionable hotel on land, so motiOnless was the water. The third day, Friday, we ran into heavy seas and things were not so pleasant. But Saturday; was compar- atively calm, and Sunday, the last day of the old year, was simply delightful. A magnificent dinner was served that night in honor of the parting veal, and 1 think no one was deprived or 1t through seasickness. After dinner most men sat or lounged in the beau tiful smoking room, enjoying the weed and conversing. The rule is that the smoking room be closed at I.3O p. m It was hoped that the captain would suspend the rule that we might see the old year out before the lights would be extinguished. The rule was enforced however, so about 25 or 30 gentlemen went on deck. It was 11.30 ships time, but as we were going eastward the actual time was about 10 minutes to 12. The scene on deck was solemn and majestic. No lights, except the bril- liant stars, overhead. Around us the dark and mysterious waste of waters. No sound, except the swish of the wa ters as the waves lapped the side of the ship. No man there who was not awed by the scene. No one spoke. Time passed and before we were aware the New Year had come. His coming was announced by steward who, just at 12, began to play on cOrnet "Auld Lang Syne." The first note was hard ly given when mighty chorus of voices joined in the ancient refrain. After "Auld Lang Syne," as we were on British ship, "God Save the King" was sung,. then the "Star Spangled Banner" and finally the Canadians who were present sang hymn. Then, in seaman's language, we turned fa. q forgot to say that on this day we passed a school of whales About 30 could be seen dispOrting in the seal. I noticed, what l often mo- ticed before in England, Bermuda, Can. ada, wherever the English power is dominant, that when the subjects of
 England sing their national air, they always stand with uncovered heads. They sing ''God save the King" They
 may love the King or they may not.
 may never have seen him. The King
 to them is symbol. He has no great
 power. But he typifies the power and
 glory of England. Therefore in 8
 spirit of patriotism, of love and respect
 for old England, they stand and doff
 their hats. It is the spirit that has
 made the flag of England powerful and
 respected the world over. could not faif to notice the different conduct of
 Americans. When the ''Star Spangled
 Banner" was sung that night most of them remained with heads covered.
 The banner or flag typifies the great ness and power and glory of America and when the national air is sung love and respect should be made manifest by some outward act such as charac. ) terizes the conduct of the English. II would be we'll if the younger genera tion were brought up, imbued witt } this practice.
 NEW YEARS DAY BROUGHT US HEAVY ' SEAS