Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. V, No. XXV, June, 1852Various
General
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. V, No. XXV, June, 1852
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
Miles made 270. We have now been out four days, and are 1156 miles
on our way. The sun rose this morning bright and glorious. A strong
east wind sweeps the ocean. The enormous billows rush by, crested with
foam. Our ship struggles manfully against the opposing waves. The _log_
is thrown every two hours, to ascertain our speed. Notwithstanding
the head wind, we are advancing nine miles an hour. The breeze wails
most doleful requiems through our rigging. We are now upon the banks
of Newfoundland. During the day our upper saloon has looked like an
elegant parlor, spacious and luxurious. The sun has shone in brightly
through the windows upon the carpet. Still the ship pitches so
violently that it is with no little difficulty that one staggers from
place to place. During many hours of the day, I stood upon the deck,
watching the black and raging sea. As the sun went down in clouds, and
the darkness of a stormy night came on, it became necessary to _house_
the topmast. It was fearful to see the sailors clinging to the ropes
as the ship rolled to and fro in these vast billows. Suddenly there
was a loud outcry, and terrific groans came from the topmast. A poor
sailor had somehow got his arm caught, and it was being crushed amidst
the ponderous spars, far up in the dark and stormy sky. O! how drearily
those groans fell upon the ear. After some time he was extricated
and helped down, and placed in the care of the surgeon. From this
scene, so sad, so gloomy, I descended to the ladies' saloon. How great
the transition! The gorgeous yet beautiful apartment was brilliant
with light. Its ceiling richly carved and gilded, its walls of the
most precious and highly polished woods, its mirrors, its luxurious
furnishings, presented as cheerful a scene as the heart could crave.
Taking a seat upon the sofa with one of the most accomplished and
agreeable matrons I have ever met, I found the barometer of my spirits
rapidly rising to the region of clear and fair. It was a happy hour.
The dark sea, the storm, the night, all were forgotten, as in that
beautiful saloon, in social converse, time flew on silken wings. It is
now nearly eleven o'clock at night. I have just returned from the deck.
It is sublimely gloomy there. We are pitching about so violently, that
it is with the utmost difficulty that I write. Occasionally my inkstand
takes a rapid slide across the table, when it is caught by a ledge,
which prevents it from falling.
Thursday Night, Mar 25. Lat. 47° 24'. Long. 43° 35'.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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