CHAPTER XXXV.

HOMEWARD.

"Breathes there a man with soul so dead,
Who never to himself has said

This is my own-my native land;
Whose heart has ne'er within him burned,
As home his footsteps he has turned

From wandering on a foreign strand ?”

RIGHT welcome was the intelligence, received in London, that my friend, Mr. Gillilan, had secured for me a stateroom in the steamer "Atlantic," Capt. West. No vessel afloat stands higher in public favor for strength, commodiousness and safety, while her commander is the embodiment of skill, prudence, energy, patience and courtesy. Whoever has been much to sea will sustain me in the remark that upon the character of the captain very greatly depend the comfort and pleasure of the voyage. "If he is not agreeable, I will keep out of his way." Ah! but this you cannot do. A ship's deck is a small area, and the commander is everywhere. Go where you may there are those hard features, which never relax into a smile-that growling voice which seems to say "Obey, or feel my power"-and these hurried steps which never pause' to exchange any but the coldest salutations. "Give me," say you, 66 a skillful, energetic, watchful officer, be his personal characteristics what they may." Excuse me, then, for saying that you have never yet been much upon the sea. The writer was four months upon a ship commanded as above described. May

Homeward Voyage.

he never be again. How different with the "Atlantic" under command of Capt. Briggs, who had the vessel in charge at this time, to our momentary disappointment, though not the least to our subsequent regret. I embarked on Wednesday, Mr. N. having preceded me on Saturday in the steamer "Canada," and my other friends being in Germany, to remain a month or so longer. The return voyage was pleasantly diversified by doubling the north of Ireland, with fine weather and agreeable companions, among whom was the Rev. Dr. Williams, pastor of the Amity street Baptist Church, of N. Y., a person of surpassing richness of conversation, coupled with an almost painful modesty of manner; and Sec'y. Sickles, of the Legation at London, with a seat at present in this State Senate. Ten days brought us within sight of Long Island and New Jersey, entering the "Narrows" on the afternoon, and sailing up the Bay with a sky and air in marked contrast with those at leaving. Talk not to an American of the bay of Naples, when his own appears as did this to me on that occasion! Early in the evening the noble vessel was moored to the dock, while with joy and gratitude I again trod the soil of "my own, my native land." What were the author's feelings in meeting his kinspeople and other acquaintances in the city-how he sped to Clifton Spa, there to be welcomed by his dearest earthly friend and several parishoners-how he urged his way to Rochester again to grasp the hand of honored parents and relatives, not a few -and how he passed to his home in the "Valley," there to have the quiet of his first night pleasantly disturbed by the notes of an admirable "band" under the guidance of the friend whose hand was last in his at leaving-and how, upon

Arrival.

Salaam.

their departure, voices of melody were heard beneath his window,

"Home again-home again, from a foreign shore,”—

and how he assured all who were interested to inquire that he had come back with a body thoroughly restored—a mind full of facts and thoughts-and a heart increased in attachment to the institutions and usages, civil, social and religious of his own land—there is space but to mention, and the reader is left to do the "filling up."

The excursion has been one of unalloyed pleasure and highest profit, nothing but the agreeable occurring from the hour of departure to that of return. With many thanks to those who have afforded him this rare privilege of seeing places and things abroad, and above all with gratitude to the Divine One who "crowneth us with loving kindness and tender mercies," the author bids his readers a respectful ADIEU!