The Southern Literary Messenger, Volume I., 1834-35 — John Shaqi
The Southern Literary Messenger, Volume I., 1834-35Various
General
The Southern Literary Messenger, Volume I., 1834-35
Various
American literature -- 19th century -- Periodicals
We soon became accustomed to "the wonders of the deep" and far from
responding to the sentiment of Long Tom in "the Pilot," who declared
that "the sight of land always made him feel uncomfortable;" rather
agreed with Gonzalo in the Tempest, when he asseverated that he would
"give a thousand furlongs of sea, for an acre of barren ground." Our
taste became so perverted, that we heeded not the grandeur of the
ocean or the beauties of the heavens, and sighed that we had
"No delight to pass away the time,
Unless to spy our shadows in the sun,"
or engage in the most sage pastime of building castles in the clouds
where,
"Sometime we'd see a cloud look dragonish;
A vapour sometime like a bear or lion,
A tower'd citadel, a pendant rock,
A forked mountain, or blue promontory
With trees upon 't." ---- ----
In short, every thing which could divert for a while, was eagerly
caught at, as a child pursues a butterfly. "A sail in sight," served
as the event of a day; a porpoise or flying fish excited as much
interest, as would on land be produced by the apparition of a gryphon,
a winged dragon, or any other fabulous monster of romance; whilst the
huge leviathan, heaving his vast bulk into view and spouting rivers to
the skies, created as much sensation, as an earthquake or a
revolution.
The graceful little nautilus too, spreading its transparent sail, and
pursuing its dancing career over the waves, was ever hailed with
acclamation; though as a faithful journalist, who would wish even in
the slightest affairs to be considered "an honest chronicler," I am
compelled to denounce them as unprofitable sailors, as they ever steer
full in the "wind's eye."
A most remarkable event in our voyage was the celebration of the
anniversary of our independence; which, happening about the middle of
our course, was mirthfully kept by the Americans on board, aided by
the representatives of the different nations there assembled. The
celebration commenced with a prayer from the Rev. Mr. ---- of ----;
and I wish I could say that it ended as appropriately; for soon after
dinner it became quite apparent, that a certain young gentleman, and
old doctor, of whom I have before spoken, however well fortified
against mustard and cayenne, were not proof against
champagne--so----they were put to bed.
On the evening of the 16th of July, we were first greeted by that
sound of all others, the most grateful to the ears of those who have
been for twenty tedious days, upon the unstable element. The deck was
soon deserted by the younger portion of the passengers, who climbed to
various heights, according to their proficiency, to behold the welcome
prospect. The shore of "merry England" could then be seen; presenting
to the eye however, nothing save a line faintly sketched, undulating a
little above the horizon, so that many still remained in doubt
"---- 'till the light-house far blazed,
Like a star in the midst of the ocean."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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