"We had quite a pleasant journey on the train all the way to New York, where we arrived on scheduled time, and found our way to the private hotel, where all things were in readiness for our reception. We spent a portion of two days in walking about, and enjoying the sights of the city, but the time rapidly rolled around for our embarkation, and we went on board the ’Sarmatian,’ which is truly a splendid liner—indeed, one of the finest boats on the North Atlantic. The ’Sarmatian’ is a British vessel, and strange as it may appear so soon, the feeling was so sweet and home-like upon this foreign ship that I could not but notice it. Officers and sailors who have been reared in a land where prejudice is unknown, are in no way interested about such paltry things as the color of the skin. Seated upon this noble British ship, I felt even now as if I were already in England! "Indeed, we would all have quite forgotten that there was any such thing as prejudice in any part of the world had we not been reminded of it on board by the presence of a few Americans. But even they, on board a British ship, were obliged to keep their personal feelings well covered up; and here I may say, when we are abroad and traveling the wide, wide world, you meet with nobody who objects to the color of your skin, but somebody from some port of the United States! But even American prejudice must die out, for all wickedness is subject to change, and God Himself alone changeth never. [Illustration: _FRED’K DOUGLASS, ROCHESTER, N. Y._] "In glorious May weather, and in the presence of a tremendous concourse of people, who had come down to the water’s edge to see us off, we backed out into the North river at New York. The immense mixed multitude standing on the pier had sent up one tremendous cheer after another, waved their hats and handkerchiefs, and gave us a general grand hurrahing time. We replied in like manner as we came slowly away at first, accompanied by two or three tug-boats, that ventured out some distance to grace our departure. No doubt the passengers on board of them had friends and relatives on the Sarmatian. "We settled down at once, and made ourselves at home in good earnest. We were quite at home in our sweet, cozy little cabins, and the officers and attendants were all that could be desired. We walked about the deck, sat down to read or talk, and became acquainted with some of the most delightful people on the face of the earth—most of them on errands of pleasure, like ourselves. All were in high spirits, and anxious to visit different parts of Europe—the British Isles, Germany, etc.