Probably no ship has ever floated on the water that has attracted so much attention, or drawn so many visitors, as the Delaware during this cruise. The number of visitors, I think, may be safely estimated at about 200,000. At Naples, at Palermo, and at this place particularly, there was a constant throng from morning till night. No one was denied admittance; they were allowed to go freely through the ship, and, when the Commodore or Captain were absent, were admitted also into their cabins. At Naples the visitors were from all parts of Europe, a very large portion of them being from the interior of Germany. They saw a vessel, not only effective as regards her battery, but everywhere showing a neatness and a completeness of finish that must have astonished them. This ship, like some others of our seventy-four’s, has a deceptive appearance at a distance, seeming to be smaller than she is, and less effective. When they got on board, they found a battery of ninety-four guns, the greater portion of them of the largest calibre; the decks high and wide, and in every part scrupulously clean; and a sufficient attention to ornament, which was all, however, made subservient to the main design of efficiency. She is a very powerful ship, and so she appeared on inspection; and was also a very handsome vessel. The most perfect order also prevailed in every part. The impression which she gave must have been a favorable one; and I believe that the Delaware, in this cruise, did more towards advancing the rights of man, than if she had come home with a dozen captures of bulk and power equal to her own. Around the world the voice of freedom and of humanity is beginning to make itself heard. In many places it is only a still small voice, but it is yet heard; and though people often scarcely know what it means, yet there is a feeling in their breasts that more or less responds, and tells them that what it says is the truth. They have heard, too, that there is a republic somewhere, in a distant land,--a country of free principles and equal rights. They cannot tell how the system operates; but this system, as far as they know it, is a beautiful one, and they would like greatly to know more of it. A ship comes among them from that far country, and their vague floating visions now take a more substantial form. It is a vessel bearing signs of wealth and power, marked by good order and efficiency: the country that has sent out this ship must be wealthy and prosperous, enterprising and successful. This is the lesson which is taught by all our ships wherever they go; and taught in a manner that is intelligible to the lowest capacity.