Ruby Eliot had written to us that her cousin from Austin was wintering in Toulon, but we had not thought of meeting him here. The next afternoon our maid Harriette was nearly crazed by the demands made upon her time and taste. I gave up in despair, and confined myself to looking like a fright in a dark red silk. Not so with my sister, who was perfectly exquisite in a dove-colored silk and white lace. George called at half past four, and, of course, gave all his attention to Sarah.
The sequel to this story cannot be written, but those two were only friends, after all, and some people admire elves in red dresses more than saints in gray. Our next move was cross country by rail, and after many days sailing through bays, channels, and straits we landed at Dover, where we remained until October, when we crossed the strait to Brussels, arriving in time for the double wedding.
Yesterday something happened to convince me that there was no place like Austin in which to spend the rest of my days. Now as we are about to return to our native country a slight feeling of disappointment will arise that Dover was the only city in Britain visited by us. Yet how glad we shall all be to return to our native land.
Seeing the "Defender's" Launching.
I really wish I had had every member of the Round Table that is interested in boats with me on Saturday, June 29th. On that memorable day I went with a party of friends on board of a sloop-yacht to witness the launching of the Defender. We left Warren about 9.30 a.m. We dropped anchor in Bristol Harbor just in time, for about five minutes later the big boat glided down the ways amid the banging of guns and the shrill whistles from the numerous steamboats. The only thing to mar the occasion was that the launching was not as successful as expected, for the boat stuck on the ways and was not floated till two days later.
AT THE "DEFENDER'S" LAUNCHING.
As soon as the launching was over, I looked around to see what yachts were in the harbor. At our left was the Colonia, the practice boat for the crew of the Defender, consisting of thirty-three men. Among the other yachts were the Valiant, the handsome Conqueror of F. W. Vanderbilt, the Shearwater, Sakonnet, and many, many others. The harbor, indeed, presented a beautiful picture from the shore. After lunch, my chum and myself went in one of the row-boats up near the cup-defender, thus getting a finer view of it than ever.
Souvenirs have been floating around Bristol and vicinity for a month in the shape of aluminum rings; but other souvenirs were sold on the launching-day. Some were stick-pins made from the bronze of the rudder-post. About 3.30 a stiff breeze set in, and many of the yachts took advantage of it and started out on a spin. When we got back to our yacht the waves were dancing merrily about its bow, much to our delight.