[Samuel F. B. Morse, His Letters and Journals by Samuel F. B. Morse]@TWC D-Link bookSamuel F. B. Morse, His Letters and Journals CHAPTER II 15/28
As the diary contains nothing of importance relating to the eastern voyage, being simply a record of good weather, fair winds, and pleasant companions, I shall not quote from it at present. It was all pleasure to the young man, who had never before been away from home, and he sees no reason why people should dread a sea voyage. The journal of the return trip tells a different story, as we shall see later on, for the passage lasted fifty-seven days, and head winds, gales, and even hurricanes were encountered all the way across, and he wonders why any one should go to sea who can remain safely on land. LIVERPOOL, August 7, 1811. MY DEAR PARENTS,--You see from the date that I have at length arrived in England.
I have had a most delightful passage of twenty days from land to land and two in coming up the channel. As this is a letter merely to inform you of my safe arrival I shall not enter into the particulars of our voyage until I get to London, to which place I shall proceed as soon as possible. Suffice it to say that I have not been sick a moment of the passage, but, on the contrary, have never enjoyed my health better.
I have not as yet got my trunks from the custom-house, but presume I shall meet with no difficulty. I am now at the Liverpool Arms Inn.
It is the same inn that Mr.Silliman put up at; it is, however, very expensive; they charge the enormous sum, I believe, of a guinea or a guinea and a half a day. If I should be detained a day or two in this place I shall endeavor to find out other lodgings; at present, however, it is unavoidable, as all the other passengers are at the same place with me.
You may rest assured I shall do everything in my power to be economical, but to avoid imposition of some kind or other cannot be expected, since every one who has been in England and spoken of the subject to me has been imposed upon in some way or other. You cannot think how many times I have expressed a wish that you knew exactly how I was situated.
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