Our travelling party in Ireland

Preface

This volume commences a series of books for youth, adapted to please, instruct, and benefit. The aim will be to give the youthful reader a clear, accurate account of foreign scenes and society. Every effort will be made to make the statements reliable, and the books permanently useful, not merely to the young, but to all persons whose circumstances will not allow them to go abroad.

The author proposes to follow a travelling party through the principal countries of Europe, into Egypt, Palestine, and Greece. Though the successive volumes will be connected in name and style, and will be issued as a serial, a few months intervening between them, each one will be complete in itself.

These books will be sent out into a field that never can be filled, for the children's department of our literature makes constant demands, and every volume published for young persons only creates a taste that calls for others ; and this series is given to the public with the hope that each successive volume may prove useful, instructive, and entertaining. The next volume, which will soon be issued, will take the traveller through Scotland and England.

Contents

CHAP. PAGE

I. The Percy Mansion .11

II. The Atlantic Voyage =,29

Chapter I. THE PERCY MANSION

IN the beautiful city of Cambridge, near Boston, stands the aristocratic mansion of Peter Percy, Esq., a rich merchant, who has long been engaged in the West India trade, and who has accumulated a vast fortune, by prudence, economy, skill, and sound judgment. The Percy family consists of the father, mother, and three lovely children of the respective ages of eleven, nine, and six. The oldest, Walter, is a thoughtful, sedate, studious boy, who never gave his parents a moment's uneasiness, and who is a patient devotee of books. Intellect is written on his fair brow, his pale features are stamped with genius, and already he shows the dawnings of that light which will make him a bright example. The second child is Minnie, the antipode of Walter, a mild, beautiful girl,

(ii)

whose brown hair falls in wavy ringlets on her shoulders, and. whose sunny smile is the light of the house and the joy of the home circle. Impatient and nervous, she would rather gather buttercups and daisies than pore over books ; healthful and cheerful, she turns every thing upside down, answering the remonstrance of her mother with a merry laugh that is irresistible, and that drives every frown from that look of maternal love. Every body loves Minnie Percy, and she is justly the pride of her parents. Charlie is the youngest, a noble boy,, of good proportions and fair appearance, who has yet to develop himself in order to have his traits of character fully seen. The family, when together, is one of the most happy in the place ; no cloud rests upon their home, which is one of great magnificence.

Peter Percy himself is a man of intelligence, reading, and business sagacity ; a devout Christian, and a man deeply interested in every good enterprise, and every philanthropic movement, liberal to the poor, just to himself, and grateful to God.

One evening this merchant returned to his mansion, and, after tea had been served, and the gas lighted, called his family together, and told them that he was about to leave the cares and anxieties of business for a while, and seek recreation and rest in a foreign tour. Walter's large, dreamy eyes were at once fixed on his father's face, and little Minnie clapped her hands for joy.

tw Will you take me ? " said Walter.

" I will go," enthusiastically cried Minnie, almost breathless with impetuosity.

" And me too, pa ! " chimed in Charlie.

" Stop, children," said Mr. Percy, " and let us talk over this matter. Perhaps mamma will have a word to say about it."

Mrs. Percy, who had previously been made acquainted with her husband's plans, smiled upon her lovely children, as, with one accord, the trio appealed to her.

" May we go, mamma ? "

" I cannot spare you all. Who woidd come and kiss mamma in the morning ? "

" I will stay at home with mamma," said Charlie, half in sorrow. " 1 do not want to go away with papa ; I will stay at home with mamma."

A kiss was the only answer the mother gave as she touched the brow of her fair child, from which the sunny hair was thrown back. The little fellow looked up as he felt a tear drop on his cheek, and added, —

" Shall not Charlie have a rocking horse if he stays at home ? "

The promise having been made that Charlie should have his rocking horse, and that Walter and Minnie should accompany Mr. Percy on his European tour, the evening was spent in making arrangements, and talking over plans for the future, until the time came for sleep, when the whole family, after seeking direction and counsel of God, the great Father, retired to rest. But Walter and Minnie could not sleep much. Their little heads were side by side, and long, in low whispers, did they converse of the things they expected to see on their arrival in Europe ; and it was after midnight when sleep overpowered them.

The sun had scarcely risen the next morning ere the children were all up ; and a more merry family circle one would not desire to see, than that which gathered around Mr. Percy's table that day. The children were happy in the idea of seeing so many different lands, and so many strange scenes. Walter had read of London and Rome, and Minnie had often heard of Paris, the gay and beautiful metropolis of fashion, and the prospect of seeing those places took away all inclination to study, or even eat. Breakfast being over, the family carriage, a oo^JOc

vehicle of more utility than beauty, of more real comfort than elegance of appearance, was brought to the door by the servant, and Mr. Percy, addressing his son, said, —

" Come, Walter, get ready and we will go into the city and purchase our tickets, and secure our berths for the voyage."

" What, father, so soon as this ? "

" Yes, my son ; at this season of the year the steamers are so crowded that passage must be taken several weeks in advance."

On the way to the city, Mr. Percy explained more fully his plans to his son, and gave him an outline of the route he proposed to take. Walter had studied geography carefully, and had read history somewhat extensively, and was acquainted with many of the cities which had been marked down as worthy of a visit, and the conversation on these places gave evidence that the lad had made much proficiency in his studies, and could appreciate the voyage he was about to make. Many men of means travel, but acquire no information, and fail of enlarging their minds, because they are strangers to the historical importance of the places they visit ; and Mr. Percy was well pleased that his son should develop so much knowledge of the places of his' toric interest, and sacred to the memory of heroes and martyrs. He found that the lad was to be a better travelling companion than somo men of mature years, but of less observation and reading, could possibly be.

To travel well, a man must be a genius — he must have an aptitude for travelling. Some men may go around the world and never see any thing, or become any wiser for the pains they take to visit distant lands. They have no genius for travelling. They go with their eyes shut, their ears closed, and their hearts sealed. They will ride through an enchanting country, reading some romance, or poring over the last political article in the London Times. They visit cities, but they never get any knowledge of the customs of the people. They are not gifted with the faculty for travelling, and might as well stay at home.

It was not so with our young hero. He was observant of every thing that passed before him, and before he had secured his passage, he had laid out his plans, and, in imagination, lived over half his journey.

" Here we are at the booking office," said Mr. Percy, as he reined up his horse in front of a noble edifice on State Street ; and the two went up stairs into the office of the agent, and Mr. Percy inquired of that gentleman, —

" What steamer sails two weeks from to-day?"

" The Niagara, sir."

" Who will command her on the passage ? "

" Captain Wickman, one of the best officers in the service."

" Is she full ? "

" Nearly so, but a few state rooms yet remain unengaged."

" Will you show me the plan ? "

" Certainly, sir, with the greatest pleasure."

Mr. Percy looked over the plan, and found that state rooms, with berths, numbered 71 and 72, were not taken, and at once engaged them, and having also secured a berth for Minnie, in the state room for ladies, gave his check on the Boylston Bank for the amount. All this time Walter stood looking on, and wondering how large the room could be, and what kind of a berth he should have, and was aroused from his reflections by the question of the agent, —

" Would you not like to take your son over to the dock at East Boston, and let him see the steamer ? "

" Well, what say, Walter ? " asked Mr. Percy.

" 0, by all means, let ns go over," was the reply.

The agent furnished Mr. Percy with a ticket, vol. J. 2 and entering the carriage, the father and son drove rapidly to the ferry. The boat was just starting, and they had barely time to get aboard before the bell rang, and the huge, unwieldy float moved out into the channel ; and in a few minutes a dull, heavy crash announced the arrival at East Boston. Driving to the steamer landing, and showing the ticket to the gate tender, they were allowed to go on deck, and see the vessel which was to bear them across the deep. They found their state room to be a very pleasant one, but in a state of confusion, as the steamer was being cleansed for her trip. The servants, however, were very polite, and the steward asked Mr. Percy if he would not select seats at the table, as it might be too late when he came aboard again. So they went into the magnificent saloon, and found several long tables , and Mr. Percy, turning to his son, said, —

" Walter, where would you like to sit ? "

Walter looked along the table, and replied, " I would like to sit near the captain, so that we may have the benefit of his conversation."

" That," said the steward, pointing to a table near the door, " is the captain's table ; but five seats are already taken there. The next table is not taken."

So seats were selected at the second table, and Walter, writing his father's name on one card, and his own on another, handed them to the steward, who said the seats should be reserved.

After looking about the steamer, going into both cabins, examining the huge engine, — which now was silent and still, like a great dead thing, incapable of motion, — and talking with the officers and men, our friends, whom we have accompanied to the steamer, took their carriage and leisurely rode back to the city, through Charlcstown, not crossing the ferry as they had done before. They reached the city just as the sun was setting, and stopping for a moment at his counting house, Mr. Percy then drove rapidly to his house in Cambridge. Minnie was waiting for them with the greatest impatience, and before they had time to enter the house, she cried, " Have you got the tickets, Walter ? Did you see the steamer, father ? Will any ladies go over with us ? When shall we start ? "

" Stop, stop, my clear ; one question at a time, my child," said Mr. Percy, in a tone savoring of slight rebuke. " You must learn to be patient ; " and then, with a pleasant smile, added, " I will let Walter answer your questions while I go and see that the carriage is taken care of."

" I will tell you all about it after tea," said Walter.

" After tea, indeed ! I must hear about it now."

"Well, I will tell you all I know." So Walter sat down with his sister, and told her all that had been done, and described the vessel, and the state room, and the appearance of the captain, and detailed much of the conversation which had occurred between him and his father, all of which interested the little girl very much.

" And now, father, what else have we to do before we go ? " said Walter, as the family were seated at the tea table.

" 0, several things," was the reply. " We have to purchase some nice new trunks and carpet bags ; we have to secure our passports, and mamma has much work to do to get us all ready. We shall want a few letters of introduction to distinguished persons, whom we must try to see, but on whom it would not be courteous to call without an introduction. We must get a letter of credit, so that, when we are in want of money, we can go to the bankers in London, Paris, Vienna, or Rome, and draw as much as we need. And several other little things must be attended to ere we shall be ready to sail."

" What is a letter of credit ? " asked Walter.

" What is a passport ? " asked Minnie.

" I will answer Walter's question first, as it was asked first. A letter of credit is a banking document, which is taken from a banker in Boston, who has correspondence with bankers in all the prominent European cities. I deposit with the banker here a sum of money, or my note for a certain amount, and receive the letter in return. When I want money in Paris or Naples, I take the letter to a banker, whose name is on this paper, and lie gives me fifty or a hundred dollars, just as I may want. By this arrangement, I am not obliged to carry gold, which would be very heavy, and would be a source of continual anxiety. Do you understand ? "

" I think I do."

" Well, I will explain it more fully to you when we draw money in some foreign city."

" And now my question," said Minnie. " What is a passport ? "

" A passport, my child, is a document given by the secretary of state, at Washington, showing that I am an American citizen. So, when I <40 into any country, the police will know who I am, and not confound me with those who are trying to overthrow the government. In this country and in England, passports are not required, but all over the continent they are demanded."

" But if you should not have one, what would be the result ? " asked Minnie.

" Why, when we reached the French frontier, we should be sent back or arrested. "

" 0, that would be funny."

" More perplexing than funny, my child."

" And what should we do ? "

" Well, we might go to London and get a passport from Mr. Dallas, the American minister, as he has power to give it. But we could not travel without it any where upon the continent."

Thus conversing, the tea hour passed away, the evening advanced, and the hour for family devotions having arrived, the whole family bowed before the great Father, sought his protection, and separated for the night.

The next morning Mr. Percy and Walter rode into Boston, and, calling at the Custom House, made an arrangement with a polite official for a passport. Walter and his father were measured, their ages taken, and a general description of them made. This description was sent to Washington, and a few days elapsed before the document was received. They then went to the banker, and made arrangements with him for a letter of credit, Mr. Percy putting a large sum of money on deposit, and receiving the necessary document. They then went to a trunk maker, and bought two stont trunks, and two fine carpet bags. They next repaired to a clothing store, where a nice suit of gray travelling clothes were bought for Walter, a loose drab sack for Mr. Percy, and one or two articles for Minnie. All this, with some business matters not connected with the tour, occupied most of the day, and they returned in the afternoon, again to be overwhelmed with questions by Minnie, who in the mean while had been busy with her mother in preparing her clothes, and getting ready for the voyage.

After a few days Mr. Percy received a large document, bearing the seal of the United States, and on opening it, it was found to be the passports for the travellers ; and as many of our readers may never have seen a passport, we give a copy of one on the next page, as nearly as we can in so small a space.

Day by day the arrangements progressed, and soon the trio were all ready to start ; and as the time approached, the young folks became more anxious to be on the way. The steamer was to start on the seventh day of April, and the hours and minutes to that time were counted and wished away. However, none of the time was

THE PERCY FAMILY.

Stature, 5 ft. 8 inch.

Age, 35 years.

Forehead, high.

Eyes, gray.

Nose, small.

Mouth, medium.

Chin, round.

Hair, brown.

Complexion, light.

Face, medium.

The undersigned, Secretary of State of the T&nitzb States Of America, hereby requests all whom it may concern, to permit safely and freely to pass

a citizen of the United States, and in case of need to give him all useful aid and protection.

Given under my hand

Signature of Bearer.

I U.S. Seal.)

and the impression of the Seal of the Department of State, at the City of Washington, the 29th day of March, A. D. 1858, in the 82<f year of the Independence of the United States.

lost to Walter, who busied himself in reading works of travel, and studying French phrases, and otherwise preparing himself to make the most of his tour.

On Saturday, before the time for sailing, just as the family were rising from the tea table, Mr. Tenant, one of Mr. Percy's most esteemed neighbors, called in, and, after the usual friendly salutations, said, " Friend Percy, I have come in to see if you want a companion on your tour. I have made up my mind to travel a few months, and should like to go abroad with you."

Mr. Percy gladly accepted the proposition, for Mr. Tenant was an enterprising business man, who would make a most excellent travelling companion. So it was arranged that Mr. Tenant, who had already engaged his passage, should make one of the party.

The steamer was to sail on Wednesday, and on the previous evening, Mr. Percy was sitting with his family in his spacious drawing room. There were present, besides the family, two maiden sisters of Mrs. Percy, who were to keep her company during the absence of her husband ; and they were discussing, with some tinge of sadness, the events liable and likely to transpire during the summer. It was the last evening they would be together for a long time — '

perhaps it would be the last time they would thus gather 011 earth. While they conversed and committed themselves to the protection of God, the bell rang, and a neighbor was ushered into the room ; soon came another, and then another, and still others, until the rooms were crowded, and the house full of friends and neighbors, who had come in to give the Percys a happy surprise. Among them were professors and students of the college, men of wealth and refinement, and the pastor and deacons of the church with which the family worshipped. The brisk hands of the ladies soon spread a table in the dining room, and, after an hour had been spent in social converse, the whole company were invited to it, and full justice was done to the rich viands beneath which the table groaned. When the repast was nearly finished, and all were in a merry mood, a gentleman approached Mr. Percy, and thus addressed him : —

" Dear friend : We have come in to-night to wish you a happy voyage and a safe return ; we have often enjoyed your kindness and hospitality, and we wished, in some slight way, to make you the recipient of ours. Will you please accept this cane, [handing Mr. Percy a magnificent cane, gold mounted,] manufactured from wood cut on.

tht grounds of Mount Vernon, and finished with much taste by an artisan of the metropolis ? It will remind you, when in distant lands, of the friends who, at home, will send up their daily prayers to the God of ocean and land for your protection. May your whole tour be pleasant, profitable, and safe ; and may you return to your home, and to your business, with an invigorated step and renewed health, and longlive, a blessing to your family and the world."

Mr. Percy made an appropriate reply, touching gratefully upon the pleasant relations which had always existed between him and his neighbors, and the pleasure he felt in seeing them in his drawing room that night, under such circumstances.

The ladies then placed in the hands of Mrs. Percy a beautiful bouquet, with the delicately expressed hope and wish, that when the flowers had faded, her cheek might bloom more beautifully, and that the fragrance of her example might still continue to be a blessing to the world.

The company remained together until ten o'clock, and then cordially shaking hands with the happy family, they departed, more than one lip uttering the precious sentence, " God bless them ; " while the family soon sought repose, to dream, perchance, of the morrow and its scenes.

And those dreams were sweet, for conscience came with no upbraidings and reproaches to any who were beneath that roof that night. The wicked only dream of retribution ; and they who love God and keep his commandments, rest in peace, as it is written, " He giveth his beloved sleep."

Chapter II. THE ATLANTIC VOYAGE

THE morning sun rose beautifully from its eastern bed ; but long before it was seen, Walter and Minnie had been up, and made all their arrangements to drive into the city. The trunks, which had been packed the evening before, had been strapped by the servant upon the rack of the carriage, and the children were all ready. We need not speak of the sadness which came unbidden as that family sat down to the table ; nor of the tender interview between the husband and wife, which, in the study, followed it ; nor of the warm tears that fell upon the cheeks of the children as their mother folded them to her heart. The holy scene which is witnessed when a mother separates from her children, the pen had better not describe ; for the bleeding heart and the gentle tears cannot be transferred to paper.

The plan was arranged for Mrs. Percy and Charlie to go into the city, and see the steamer start; and after breakfast the parents in one carriage, and the children in another, drove rapidly to Boston, and soon the whole company was assembled on the deck of the noble steamship Niagara. There all was orderly confu sion.

Crowds of people, who had come down to see friends start off, thronged every part of the ship ; baggage was being brought on by hurrying, driving, shouting porters ; the officers of the ship moved about, giving their orders quietly. Among those assembled were many friends of the Percy family, and one of them, Mr. Cushman, put into the hands of Walter a beautiful spyglass, and handed to Minnie a neat pocket compass, both of which he said would be of service ere the party returned ; and they were found to be so. Mr. Tenant was on hand in season, and at noon the bell warned all who were to land to do so at once ; and Mrs. Percy, bidding her husband and children farewell, was assisted to the wharf by Mr. Cushman. The steamer soon left her moorings, and swung out into the harbor. A mighty cheer went up from the people on the land, answered by one as mighty from those on shipboard ; a waving ol handkerchiefs followed on both sides ; a gun was fired on shipboard, repeated quickly, and in gallant style the noble vessel went down the harbor, and soon the people on land lost sight of her entirely.

For a long time, Mr. Percy and his children stood on deck, gazing back upon the fading spires and chimneys of the city, happy and yet sad. Walter was silent, noting every thing he saw, watching every object, and laying up in his memory every little circumstance. Minnie's tongue kept moving ; she had a hundred questions to ask, and a hundred things to say. In two hours she had formed a dozen acquaintances, and drawn out towards her a dozen loving hearts. Her free, joyous spirit seemed to have lost restraint, and become lawless as the ocean. Thus time passed on, until all were aroused by a new sound.

" Ding, dong, ding — ding, dong, ding."

" What is that for, pa ? " said Minnie.

" Why, dinner, Min — don't you know ? " replied Walter, who wished to have it known that he was posted.

u Yes, it is dinner hour ; four o'clock ; eight bells, as the sailors say. And see, the passengers are going down, and we will go down with them."

The party went into the beautiful saloon, and our friends found their places at the table without difficulty. There were two rows of tables, eacli seating eight persons ; and soon all were filled. At the first table was a gentleman, who, with his family, was going abroad to remain some months, and Minnie had already made the acquaintance of the young ladies. At the same table with themselves were two travellers from Iowa, a physician from Alabama, and two gentlemen from Boston, who very soon formed a strong mutual attachment. The dinner was highly relished, and Minnie, who ate nothing for breakfast, and had taken no lunch, declared it to be the best meal she had ever tasted. She partook of every thing, from the soup to the dessert, and, like the rest of the people, tarried an hour at the table. To Walter and Minnie, who had seldom been away from home, and who had never dined at a hotel or in a steamer, the whole scene was novel. The crash of table ware, the clatter of knives and forks, the call for wine and other liquors, the pleasant jokes, the general hilarity of the company, were very exciting to our young voyagers.

" Do you expect to dine with us to-morrow ? " said the doctor to Minnie.

" Certainly, sir ; why not ? "

" Perhaps you will ; but I think many who are here now will not be here to-morrow."

" Why not, sir ; please tell me."

" Because to-morrow it will probably be very rough, and many will be seasick. I have crossed the ocean once or twice, and I never knew the tables to be very full on the second day."

" 0, I shall not be seasick — I don't mean to be. 1 '

A merry laugh answered this expression of determination not to be seasick, and the company rose and went up on deck. Then it was found that the wind had changed, the sky was overcast, and a fog was beginning to settle over the vessel's course.

" A rough night we shall have," said one.

" If the fog only keeps off, we shall do well enough," added another.

Just then the vessel pitched so as to send Minnie half way across the deck. She recovered her position, but the quick eye of Mr. Percy detected a pallor on her countenance that he knew indicated seasickness, and he advised her to retire to her state room, and lie clown a while.

" No, father ; Walter would laugh at me."

" Ah, Min, you are seasick already."

Minnie rested her head a while on her father's knee, and then said, " I will go down ; please assist me."

Mr. Percy led her to her room, and calling VOL. I. 3 the stewardess, bade her attend to the wants of the child, and again started for the deck. But on the way he met Walter staggering down, no better off than Minnie. His father assisted him to his berth, helped him to undress, and left him to himself. The night proved a dark and stormy one ; the following day was rainy, and the east wind blew fiercely. Walter and Minnie both kept their berths, and Mr. Percy, as the steward said, was somewhat " under the weather." As the doctor had said, few were at the table, and those who were able to be there indulged in pleasantries and jokes at the expense of those who were not.