White sea-gulls come one or two days’ journey into the sea to meet the ships, and follow them for food.  These had been increasing from an early hour, and amounted to about fifty in number in the afternoon.  It seems as if their wings would never tire.  All-day long they fly after the ships, sometimes even coming over the deck near the passengers.

A great excitement prevailed on board during the whole day, because a number of our passengers were to leave us there.  While these were getting ready to depart, and bidding good-by to their many friends on board, many of us were busy writing letters to our friends and relatives in America.  Those letters were taken on to Queenstown, there mailed, and brought the first news of our safe passage across the Atlantic.  We were still a day from Liverpool, but it was a day of pleasure.  The dangers of the deep were now forgotten, the strong winds of the Ocean had abated, and health and happiness over all on board prevailed.  Our course continued along.

The Coasts of Ireland and Wales.

At about 4:00 o’clock p.m., the little steamer “Lord Lyons” came up to our ship to fetch the passengers that were bound for Queenstown.  A company of fruit-women came on board with gooseberries, raspberries and many other good things with which they fed our famished passengers.  These were our first fruits of the season, and were highly relished by all.

The vegetation of Ireland is remarkable for its fresh, green color.  We all agreed that we had never seen such a rich green color before.  “Emerald Isle” (the green island) is a very appropriate name for Ireland, We saw many light-houses and beautiful castles hanging upon the rocky shores or standing proudly upon commanding eminences.  Steamers keep so close to the shore in sailing from Queenstown to Liverpool, that the land is nearly always in sight.  On Sunday morning, July 4th, the charming fields of Ireland had been exchanged for the lofty mountains of Wales.  We passed Holyhead at 9:00 o’clock, and Liverpool came into sight at 1:30 p.m.  An hour later we came so near to the coast that the individual trees of a shady wood upon the shores could readily he discerned.  By 3:25 we had entered the Mersey, and “half-speed” was ordered.  Five minutes later, we anchored and were touched by a tender.  Here we learned what custom-house officers are for.  Every trunk, carpet-bag and satchel had to be opened for them, and their busy hands were run all through our wardrobes.  In order to detect any smuggling that might be attempted, they will examine every trunk or chest, &c., from top to bottom.  They did not search our pockets, however, but short of that they are required to do most anything disagreeable to the traveler.  As it was Sunday, all the shipping was tessellated with the colors of every nation.  It is a grand sight to see acres upon acres of ships so profusely decorated with flags that it seems as if the sky was ablaze with their brilliant colors.  Our own “Manhattan” sailed proudly into port with twenty-six flags streaming from her mast-head and rigging.