In the course of the day we saw
several icebergs, of different sizes, but none so near as the one
which we saw the day before. Some of them, as well as we could
judge, at the distance at which we were, must have been as large as
that, if not larger. At noon we were in latitude 55 deg. 12' south,
and supposed longitude 89 deg. 5' west. Toward night the wind hauled
to the southward, and headed us off our course a little, and blew a
tremendous gale; but this we did not mind, as there was no rain nor
snow, and we were already under close sail.
Monday, July 4th. This was "independence day" in Boston. What firing
of guns, and ringing of bells, and rejoicings of all sorts, in every
part of our country! The ladies (who have not gone down to Nahant, for
a breath of cool air, and sight of the ocean) walking the streets with
parasols over their heads, and the dandies in their white pantaloons
and silk stockings! What quantities of ice-cream have been eaten,
and what quantities of ice brought into the city from a distance,
and sold out by the lump and the pound! The smallest of the islands
which we saw to-day would have made the fortune of poor Jack, if he
had had it in Boston; and I dare say he would have had no objection to
being there with it.
Pages:
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543