Atlantic States -- Description and travel; Kemble, Fanny, 1809-1893; United States -- Social life and customs -- 1783-1865
were loudly demanded: poor people, how anxiously they looked for replies
to the first! Mr. ----, upon whose arm I leant, turned pale as death
while asking how it had visited Boston. Poor fellow! poor people all! my
heart ached with their anxiety. As the evening darkened, the horizon
became studded with sails; at about eight o'clock we discovered the
Highlands of Neversink, the entrance to New York harbour, and presently
the twin lights of Sandy Hook glimmered against the sky. We were all in
high spirits; a fresh breeze had sprung up, we were making rapidly to
land; the lovely ship, with all sail set, courtesying along the smooth
waters. The captain alone seemed anxious, and was eagerly looking out
for the pilot. Some had gathered to the ship's side, to watch the
progress of Colonel ----, who had left us and gone into the news-boat,
which was dancing like a fairy by the side of our dark vessel. Cheering
resounded on all sides, rockets were fired from the ship's stern, we
were all dancing, when suddenly a cry was echoed round of "A pilot, a
pilot!" and close under the ship's side a light graceful little schooner
shot like an arrow through the dim twilight, followed by a universal
huzza; she tacked, and lay to, but proved only a news-boat: while,
however, all were gathered round the collector, the pilot-boat came
alongside, and the pilot on board; the captain gave up the cares and
glories of command, and we danced an interminable country dance. All was
excitement and joyous confusion; poor Mr. ---- alone seemed smitten with
sudden anxiety; the cholera reports had filled him with alarm, lest his
agent should have died, and his affairs on his arrival be in confusion
and ruin--poor fellow! I was very sorry for him. We went down to supper
at ten, and were very merry, in spite of the ship's bumping twice or
thrice upon the sands. Came up and dawdled upon deck--saw them cast
anchor; away went the chain, down dropped the heavy stay, the fair ship
swung round, and there lay New York before us, with its clustered lights
shining like a distant constellation against the dark outline of land.
Remained on deck till very late--were going to bed, when the gentlemen
entreated us to join their party once more; we did so, sang all the old
songs, laughed at all the old jokes, drank our own and each other's
health, wealth, and prosperity, and came to bed at two o'clock. Our
cradle rocks no longer, but lies still on the still waters; we have
reached our destination; I thank God! I did so with all my soul.
_Tuesday, September 4th,
New York, America._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account