LETTER XV.
On Shipboard.
Our first hours on board were busy ones, making our state-room seem home-like, decorating it with little souvenirs, and disposing boxes and bundles in out-of-the-way corners. Placing in vases lovely flowers, which friendly hands had placed in ours, with best wishes for a ‘Bon voyage.’ As glimpses of the chalk-cliffs of England could be caught in the distance, we turned our faces toward that shore, with loving thoughts of one dear to us, whom we leave on British soil. ‘We were a-hungered, and he gave us meat; strangers, and he took us in,’ and God cares for such, and He will protect.
After a good night’s rest, for the next few days out it seemed enough for us to sit silent, as silent as women can be, and think. Think of all the wonderful sights we had seen, and carefully store them away in memory’s niche for future enjoyment. Think, too, of home and the loved ones there, and bless the steamer’s big wheel, whose every turn carried us nearer to them.
Amongst our pleasant fellow-voyagers we have Rev. Mr. G——r, of the ‘Old South;’ who is, if not all Boston, a valued bit of it. Prof. Berlitz is also one of us, and adds to his many accomplishments a knowledge of ‘mal de mer’ in all languages.
We have had head winds, and much stormy weather, but we are glad to have a chance given us to see old ocean in all her varied moods, and can scarcely say in which we like her best.
New York, America, August 24th, 1888.—On land again! Our good steamer brought us safely over. ‘Slow, but sure’ was her motto.
Our sailing into New York harbor at just sunset, with the gorgeous colors of the western sky, and the purest blue above our heads, was to us a pretty welcome; and, with hearts full of gratitude, we joined voices in singing—
‘My country! ’tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty.’