Our first hours on board were busy ones, making our state-room seem
home-like, decorating it with little souvenirs, and disposing boxes and
bundles in out-of-the-way corners. Placing in vases lovely flowers,
which friendly hands had placed in ours, with best wishes for a ‘Bon
voyage.’ As glimpses of the chalk-cliffs of England could be caught in
the distance, we turned our faces toward that shore, with loving
thoughts of one dear to us, whom we leave on British soil. ‘We were
a-hungered, and he gave us meat; strangers, and he took us in,’ and God
cares for such, and He will protect.
After a good night’s rest, for the next few days out it seemed enough
for us to sit silent, as silent as women can be, and think. Think of all
the wonderful sights we had seen, and carefully store them away in
memory’s niche for future enjoyment. Think, too, of home and the loved
ones there, and bless the steamer’s big wheel, whose every turn carried
us nearer to them.
Amongst our pleasant fellow-voyagers we have Rev. Mr. G----r, of the
‘Old South;’ who is, if not all Boston, a valued bit of it. Prof.
Berlitz is also one of us, and adds to his many accomplishments a
knowledge of ‘mal de mer’ in all languages.
We have had head winds, and much stormy weather, but we are glad to have
a chance given us to see old ocean in all her varied moods, and can
scarcely say in which we like her best.
_New York, America, August 24th, 1888._--On land again! Our good steamer
brought us safely over. ‘Slow, but sure’ was her motto.
Our sailing into New York harbor at just sunset, with the gorgeous
colors of the western sky, and the purest blue above our heads, was to
us a pretty welcome; and, with hearts full of gratitude, we joined
voices in singing--
‘My country! ’tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty.’
In a few hours more we shall be steaming toward the dear old
‘hub’--Boston--home; and shall soon be with you, dear mother, my queen
of queens. But our pleasure in anticipation is not entirely painless,
for here we part with one of our trio, whose kindly care of us, for the
last few months, has added greatly to our happiness.
_Boston, August 27th._--Europe, in many ways, is delightful, and the
memories of our perfect trip will certainly be a joy to us forever; but
we wonder that any American can choose expatriation, for we return from
all the fascinations of the ‘other side’--certainly enjoyed and seen at
their best--thanking God that we are free American citizens. Some one
has said that ‘different descriptions of the same countries are ever
like old coats turned.’ And George Macdonald writes, ‘Fact, at best, is
but a garment of truth, which has ten thousand changes of raiment,
woven in the same loom.’ Many a made-over article gives enjoyment and
satisfaction. If my words give these to my readers I am satisfied.