Three Years in Europe | Page 9

the past
rushed through my mind in quick succession. From the treatment that I
had received from the Americans as a victim of slavery, and the
knowledge that I was at that time liable to be seized and again reduced
to whips and chains, I had supposed that I would leave the country
without any regret; but in this I was mistaken, for when I saw the last
thread of communication cut off between me and the land, and the dim
shores dying away in the distance, I almost regretted that I was not on
shore.
An anticipated trip to a foreign country appears pleasant when talking
about it, especially when surrounded by friends whom we love; but
when we have left them all behind, it does not seem so pleasant.
Whatever may be the fault of the government under which we live, and

no matter how oppressive her laws may appear, yet we leave our native
land (if such it be) with feelings akin to sorrow. With the steamer's
powerful engine at work, and with a fair wind, we were speedily on the
bosom of the Atlantic, which was as calm and as smooth as our own
Hudson in its calmest aspect. We had on board above one hundred
passengers, forty of whom were the "Viennese children"--a troop of
dancers. The passengers represented several different nations, English,
French, Spaniards, Africans, and Americans. One man who had the
longest pair of mustaches that mortal man was ever doomed to wear,
especially attracted my attention. He appeared to belong to no country
in particular, but was yet the busiest man on board. After viewing for
some time the many strange faces around me, I descended to the cabin
to look after my luggage, which had been put hurriedly on board. I
hope that all who take a trip of so great a distance may be as fortunate
as I was, in being supplied with books to read on the voyage. My
friends had furnished me with literature, from "Macaulay's History of
England" to "Jane Eyre," so that I did not want for books to occupy my
time.
A pleasant passage of about thirty hours, brought us to Halifax, at six
o'clock in the evening. In company with my friend the President of the
Oberlin Institute, I took a stroll through the town; and from what little I
saw of the people in the streets, I am sure that the taking of the
Temperance pledge would do them no injury. Our stay at Halifax was
short. Having taken in a few sacks of coals, the mails, and a limited
number of passengers, we were again out, and soon at sea. After a
pleasant run of seven days more, and as I was lying in my bed, I heard
the cry of "Land a-head." Although our passage had been
unprecedentedly short, yet I need not inform you that this news was
hailed with joy by all on board. For my own part, I was soon on deck.
Away in the distance, and on our larboard quarter, were the grey hills
of Ireland. Yes! we were in sight of the land of Emmett and O'Connell.
While I rejoiced with the other passengers at the sight of land, and the
near approach to the end of the voyage, I felt low spirited, because it
reminded me of the great distance I was from home. But the experience
of above twenty years' travelling, had prepared me to undergo what
most persons must lay their account with, in visiting a strange country.
This was the last day but one that we were to be on board; and as if

moved by the sight of land, all seemed to be gathering their different
things together--brushing up their old clothes and putting on their new
ones, as if this would bring them any sooner to the end of their journey.
The last night on board was the most pleasant, apparently, that we had
experienced; probably, because it was the last. The moon was in her
meridian splendour, pouring her broad light over the calm sea; while
near to us, on our starboard side, was a ship with her snow-white sails
spread aloft, and stealing through the water like a thing of life. What
can present a more picturesque view, than two vessels at sea on a
moonlight night, and within a few rods of each other? With a gentle
breeze, and the powerful engine at work, we seemed to be flying to the
embrace of our British neighbours.
The next morning I was up before the sun, and found that we were
within a few miles of Liverpool. The taking of a pilot on board at
eleven o'clock, warned us to prepare to quit our ocean palace and seek
other quarters.