The next day the travellers went to Wittenberg to see the memorials of Luther, and thence to Magdeburg, to examine the grand old cathedral. Spending the night here, the party went to Hamburg the next day. Lincoln was particularly interested in the little steamers which ply on the Alster, a large sheet of water in the rear of the city. The Jungfernsteig, the principal street, borders on this lake, which opens by a narrow passage, under a bridge, into the Great Alster, on which are the summer residences of the principal merchants and other wealthy men. The tourists remained but a day in Hamburg, and then proceeded to Lübec, where, after a ride through the streets, and a visit to its old church, they embarked in a steamer for Swinemünde. The trip down the river from Lübec to the Baltic is very interesting, for the river is so narrow, that the boat seems to be making its way through the back yards and gardens of the farm-houses on its banks. During the last days of this journey, the country had been greatly excited by the prospect of a war with France. When they arrived at Swinemünde, on Saturday morning, they learned that war had actually been declared, and that direct communication with France, whither the Kinnairds intended to go, had ceased. They decided, therefore, to return to England immediately. The tourists were warmly welcomed on board of the ship, and the unexpected intelligence of war was anxiously discussed. But the disturbed condition of France and Germany did not affect the plans which the principal had already matured. About thirty of the students were to be graduated, and as some of them intended to enter college, it was necessary that they should be sent home. The principal had arranged that the graduates should proceed to the United States in the Josephine, under the charge of Mr. Fluxion, who was to return in the vessel with an equal number to be admitted to the Academy. A dozen "old salts" were to remain in the Josephine and return in her, so that the schooner should have some besides green hands to work her. Among the graduates were Lincoln, Cumberland, Judson, Norwood, and several of the officers of each of the consorts. The Josephine had already been prepared for her voyage, and her new crew were sent on board of her. The ship's company elected their own officers from the highest in rank, and Cumberland was chosen captain, and Lincoln first lieutenant. "Then you are to leave us, commodore," said Miss Gurney, when Lincoln came on board of the ship, after the arrangements were all completed. "I am sorry to say I am," replied he, rather gloomily. "And I shall never see you again?" "I hope we shall meet at no distant day. I haven't completed my tour in Europe yet, and I intend to return soon, to travel in England and on the Continent." "O, I am so happy! I hope you will come soon," replied Miss Gurney.