Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol III, No 13, 1851Various
General
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol III, No 13, 1851
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
What enterprising travelers American ladies sometimes are! My
Atlantic-crossing performances seem very little in comparison with some
of their expeditions. It would not surprise me that any who have ever
gone to settle in the far-off portions of the country, and been doomed
to undergo such rugged experiences as those described in the American
work (by a lady) called "A New Home, Who'll Follow?" should laugh at
hardships and discomforts which might reasonably deter less seasoned and
experienced travelers; but it must be a very different case with those
habituated only to refinements and luxuries. Mr. Webster had told me he
had expected for some little time past the arrival of a lady, a relative
of his, who had lately left China for the United States; she was to
leave her husband in the Celestial flowery land, her intention being, I
believe, to see her relatives and friends at home, and then to rejoin
him in the course of some months in China.
Like the gallant chieftain spoken of before, he arrived late, and during
dinner the doors were thrown open and "Mrs. P----, from China," was
announced. She came in, and met her relatives and friends, as quietly as
if she had merely made a "petite promenade de quinze jours" (as the
French boasted they should do when they went to besiege Antwerp). She
seated herself at table, when a few questions were asked relative to her
voyage.
"Had you a good passage?"
"Very--altogether."
"How long?"
"About one hundred and three days" (I think this is correct, but I can
not answer to a day).
"Pleasant companions?"
"Very much so, and with books the time passed very agreeably."
All this was as quietly discussed as if the passage had been from Dover
to Boulogne, and the length of the time of absence a fortnight.
Mr. Webster was good enough to drive me out yesterday, and a most
splendid drive we had. At one part, from a rather high eminence, we had
a glorious panoramic view: it was really sublime: ocean, forest, hill,
valley, promontory, river, field, glade, and hollow, were spread before
us; altogether they formed a truly magnificent prospect. One almost
seemed to be looking into boundless space. We paused at this spot a
little while to admire the beautiful scene. How meet a companion the
giant Atlantic seemed for that mighty mind, to some of whose noble
sentiments I had just been listening with delight and veneration, and
yet how far beyond the widest sweep of ocean, is the endless expanse of
the immortal intellect--time-overcoming--creation-compelling!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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