Author: George French Angas

Publisher: Theclassics.Us

Published: 2013-09

Total Pages: 72

ISBN-13: 9781230306001

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1842 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER I. VOYAGE TO MALTA. "Oh who can tell?--not thou, luxurious slave, Whoao soul would sicken o'er the heaving wave--Nor thou, vain lord of wantonness and ease, Whom slumbers soothe not, pleasures cannot please Oh who can toll, --save he whose heart hath tried And danced in triumph o'er the waters wide, --Th' exulting sense, the pulse's maddening play, That thrills the wanderer o'er the trackless way?" August 16, 1841.--It has been justly said, that there are three distinct pleasures enjoyed by travellers of which those who constantly dwell within the narrow limits of their own homes can form no competent idea. They are the pleasures arising from anticipation, realization, and retrospection; all of which are in themselves separate sources of enjoyment to the observant mind. The first of these I had already cherished with the most enthusiastic visions of hope; and the realization of my expected gatification from the second, commenced, when bidding farewell to my home and friends for awhile, I embarked for Malta in the beautiful clipper schooner " Prospero." The bustle and excitement of departure being over, I was anxious to leave St. Katharine's Docks without delay, that we might sail down the river, and float freely over the broad bosom of the sea. But disappointments, like the clouds which mar an April sunshine, mingle themselves with our most pleasing moments; and thus it proved to me; for by an unavoidable tardiness caused by the brokers of the vessel, we were compelled to remain in our close quarters for one night, and part of the succeeding day. At n nine P.m. the noisy, thundering bell of the Docks sounded the hour of repose, when all lights are ordered to be put out, under a penalty of ten pounds. But this curfew of modern times...