Paris, October 18.—John, Laura, Aunt Ann and I, nurse and baby, arrived here to-day for a few days’ visit. We had rather a stormy passage on the Channel. I asked one of the seamen the name of the vessel and he answered me “The H’Albert H’Edward, Miss!” This information must have given me courage, for I was perfectly sustained till we reached Calais, although nearly every one around me succumbed.
October 22.—We have driven through the Bois de Boulogne, visited Père la Chaise, the Morgue, the ruins of the Tuileries, which are left just as they were since the Commune. We spent half a day at the Louvre without seeing half of its wonders. I went alone to a photographer’s, Le Jeune, to be “taken” and had a funny time. He queried “Parlez-vous Français?” I shook my head and asked him “Parlez-vous Anglaise?” at which query he shrugged his shoulders and shook his head! I ventured to tell him by signs that I would like my picture taken and he held up two sizes of pictures and asked me “Le cabinet, le vignette?” I held up my fingers, to tell him I would like six of each, whereupon he proceeded to make ready and when he had seated me, he made me understand that he hoped I would sit perfectly still, which I endeavored to do. After the first sitting, he showed displeasure and let me know that I had swayed to and fro. Another attempt was more satisfactory and he said “Très bien, Madame,” and I gave him my address and departed.
October 26.—My photographs have come and all pronounce them indeed “très bien.” We visited the Tomb of Napoleon to-day.
October 27.—We attended service to-day at the American Chapel and I enjoyed it more than I can ever express. After hearing a foreign tongue for the past ten days, it seemed like getting home to go into a Presbyterian church and hear a sermon from an American pastor. The singing in the choir was so homelike, that when they sang “Awake my soul to joyful lays and sing thy great Redeemer’s praise,” it seemed to me that I heard a well known tenor voice from across the sea, especially in the refrain “His loving kindness, oh how free.” The text was “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings, so the Lord did lead him and there was no strange God with him.” Deut. 32: 11. It was a wonderful sermon and I shall never forget it. On our way home, we noticed the usual traffic going on, building of houses, women were standing in their doors knitting and there seemed to be no sign of Sunday keeping, outside of the church.
London, October 31.—John and I returned together from Paris and now I have only a few days left before sailing for home. There was an Englishman here to-day who was bragging about the beer in England being so much better than could be made anywhere else. He said, “In America, you have the ’ops, I know, but you haven’t the Thames water, you know.” I suppose that would make a vast difference!
Sunday, November 3.—We went to hear Rev. Dr. Joseph Parker preach at Exeter Hall. He is a new light, comparatively, and bids fair to rival Spurgeon and Newman Hall and all the rest. He is like a lion and again like a lamb in the pulpit.
Liverpool, November 6.—I came down to Liverpool to-day with Abbie and nurse, to sail on the Baltic, to-morrow. There were two Englishmen in our compartment and hearing Abbie sing “I have a Father in the Promised Land,” they asked her where her Father lived and she said “In America,” and told them she was going on the big ship to-morrow to see him. Then they turned to me and said they supposed I would be glad to know that the latest cable from America was that U. S. Grant was elected for his second term as President of the United States. I assured them that I was very glad to hear such good news.
November 9.—I did not know any of the passengers when we sailed, but soon made pleasant acquaintances. Near me at table are Mr. and Mrs. Sykes from New York and in course of conversation I found that she as well as myself, was born in Penn Yan, Yates County, New York, and that her parents were members of my Father’s church, which goes to prove that the world is not so very wide after all. Abbie is a great pet among the passengers and is being passed around from one to another from morning till night. They love to hear her sing and coax her to say “Grace” at table. She closes her eyes and folds her hands devoutly and says, “For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful.” They all say “Amen” to this, for they are fearful that they will not perhaps be “thankful” when they finish!
November 15.—I have been on deck every day but one, and not missed a single meal. There was a terrible storm one night and the next morning I told one of the numerous clergymen, that I took great comfort in the night, thinking that nothing could happen with so many of the Lord’s anointed, on board. He said that he wished he had thought of that, for he was frightened almost to death! We have sighted eleven steamers and on Wednesday we were in sight of the banks of Newfoundland all the afternoon, our course being unusually northerly and we encountered no fogs, contrary to the expectation of all. Every one pronounces the voyage pleasant and speedy for this time of year.
Naples, N. Y., November 20.—We arrived safely in New York on Sunday. Abbie spied her father very quickly upon the dock as we slowly came up and with glad and happy hearts we returned his “Welcome home.” We spent two days in New York and arrived home safe and sound this evening.