People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1893 — FROM THE BRINY DEEP. [ARTICLE]

FROM THE BRINY DEEP.

Ah ititciTslirttf Letter E'roui 8. tp Sparling Written on the oteait« July 7 —xXn increased wind during the day. The ship runaing in the trough. Very difficult to walk up spar deck without landing in ‘some person's arms. Not a sail seefi to-day; nor a whale; nothing largi?? than a gull. Rather lonesome. Jspdfit most of the day in trying to keep my equilibrium and -talk to a few friends. Several _ college students on board. It is interesting to note the difference in Scotch and Irish character as I tind it on board. Attended a concert at which we had a great array of talent. Any person who could sing the simplest ditty appeared on the program. Sea roiled the highest to-night of any time during the voyage. Waves came dashing at the plunging vessels, and to the inexperienced would seem ,to swallow’ her, but the sailors say it was only good sailing. Great cataracts, beautiful fountains—, were coristantly amusing you. It was indeed a beautiful at night to watch the phosphorescent glare of the waves as they were whipped by the wind. Made 378 miles. Attended religious services in the evening. One finds variation of climate on the ocean as well as on land. One day it is very warm and- the next an overcoat is comfortable. In the latitude we are at present (53) the days are very long. At ten o'clock this evening a paper could be read on deck with ease. We are in the gulf stream add consequently a warm, t balmy wind.

July B—Arose8 — Arose early Willi the expectaviCl l of -finding a “kicking” sea. Was disappointed, but the Spray of the aollia l m£ waves was thrown high’ in the I air and the bright sun made it sparkle with rainbows. So that the very waters before you were gemmed With fleeting and ever returning dtffblems of hope and promise. The day passed in reading ana games. A clear sky, most of the day with banks of clouds in the horizon. All grow restless from the prospect of land. The sailors are in ignorance' hf the time of landing or else they are hardened liars, probably the latter. The life they live would harden them to most anything. I Any boy who has Had dreams of sailors life let him spend a week even on as beautiful and quiet a voyage as this and he will be content to remain on terra fir ma. We have certainly had a remarkably calm voyage, more so that was desired. I find it sometimes interesting to attempt to walk deck when the vessel is plunging. I had hoped to see some of the wav§s that run mountain high, that have filled ‘ minds with their sublimity and i grandeur, but lam fated with! disappointment. A perfectly glassy sea with a variety of colors playing on its surface. The swell not very largo. Three sails to remind us of land and that we were not alone. Seaweed floating in the water brought by Gulf Stream. July 9. All on deck early with the word that land would besighted. The Irish, wild with the prospect of the land of the Blarney stone. Every maiden is adorned in her best and interesting will be the sight that will greet us when friends meet again who have not only been separated for years but with a watery space of 3,00()’ miles. We will go on deck and imbibe some of the enthusiasm. Scarcely had I mounted spar deck when the Columbian cry of “Land” passed from fore to aft and real enough the Emerald Isle threw her beautiful contour up through mists that shrouded her. Every Irishman’s heart leaped with joy, if a sparkling face is any indication of a heart throb. One is impressed with the rounded form oMhe distant land in contrast to much of the rugged scenery that we see in the States. There has been much bustle on board preparatory to the landing of the Irish section. Quite different is the appearance of the passengers as they prepare to land. Some who were content to go rather shabby on the voyage now appear in Sunday clothes, and bright new bonnets.

Our sail up the Clyde was in the midst of a driving rain and much of the beauty was marred. But as it was it was certainly unrivaled in magnificence. Ireland from a distance is certainly the garden spot it is said to be. Only have passed to Glasgow and have not seen any of the

country only from the car window. Am starting to do the city this afternoon, the 10th.