The mowing operation required no glass, could be performed with almost reckless boldness, as one cannot cut himself, and in fact had become a pleasant amusement instead of an irksome task.  I have never used any other means of shaving from that day to this.  I was so pleased with it that I exhibited it to the distinguished tonsors of Burlington Arcade, half afraid they would assassinate me for bringing in an innovation which bid fair to destroy their business.  They probably took me for an agent of the manufacturers; and so I was, but not in their pay nor with their knowledge.  I determined to let other persons know what a convenience I had found the “Star Razor” of Messrs. Kampf, of New York, without fear of reproach for so doing.  I know my danger,—­does not Lord Byron say, “I have even been accused of writing puffs for Warren’s blacking”?  I was once offered pay for a poem in praise of a certain stove polish, but I declined.  It is pure good-will to my race which leads me to commend the Star Razor to all who travel by land or by sea, as well as to all who stay at home.

With the first sight of land many a passenger draws a long sigh of relief.  Yet everybody knows that the worst dangers begin after we have got near enough to see the shore, for there are several ways of landing, not all of which are equally desirable.  On Saturday, May 8th, we first caught a glimpse of the Irish coast, and at half past four in the afternoon we reached the harbor of Queenstown.  A tug came off, bringing newspapers, letters, and so forth, among the rest some thirty letters and telegrams for me.  This did not look much like rest, but this was only a slight prelude to what was to follow.  I was in no condition to go on shore for sight-seeing, as some of the passengers did.

We made our way through the fog towards Liverpool, and arrived at 1.30, on Sunday, May 9th.  A special tug came to take us off:  on it were the American consul, Mr. Russell, the vice-consul, Mr. Sewall, Dr. Nevins, and Mr. Rathbone, who came on behalf of our as yet unseen friend, Mr. Willett, of Brighton, England.  Our Liverpool friends were meditating more hospitalities to us than, in our fatigued condition, we were equal to supporting.  They very kindly, however, acquiesced in our wishes, which were for as much rest as we could possibly get before any attempt to busy ourselves with social engagements.  So they conveyed us to the Grand Hotel for a short time, and then saw us safely off to the station to take the train for Chester, where we arrived in due season, and soon found ourselves comfortably established at the Grosvenor Arms Hotel.  A large basket of Surrey primroses was brought by Mr. Rathbone to my companion.  I had set before me at the hotel a very handsome floral harp, which my friend’s friend had offered me as a tribute.  It made melody in my ears as sweet as those hyacinths of Shelley’s, the music of whose bells was so

  “delicate, soft, and intense,
  It was felt like an odor within the sense.”