90 EAST PRUSSIA TO THE GOLDEN GATE 



we found ourselves surrounded by a great many vessels, 

 increasing in number as the forenoon passed, so that I 

 counted toward noon about sixty-four of them with full 

 sails, which offered a magnificent spectacle, the splendor 

 of which was heightened by the noonday sun. Until sev- 

 en o'clock we were unable to see anything but the im- 

 mense chalk-rocks of Beachy-head, which we observed 

 from the star-board. The breeze increased during the 

 day to such an extent that top-sails had to be fastened 

 about four o'clock in the afternoon, when we just found 

 ourselves opposite the pretty city of Brighton, half a mile 

 away. We were able to distinguish not only the houses, 

 trees, etc., of this charming little town, but could even 

 watch the outgoing train, speeding along the green, 

 mountainous coast, bound for London. By means of tel- 

 escopes we distinguished several pedestrians, especially 

 on the Grande terrace, which I recognized at once, as well 

 as the royal pavilion, built in Chinese style, which are 

 so well pictured in Myer's Universal Lexicon (Cyclo- 

 pedia). The coast of Cowes was reached and passed dur- 

 ing the night. Our cruise on Thursday was hindered by 

 stormy West-wind and such a rain-storm that we could 

 hardly see a ship's length ahead. The fog cleared about 

 one o'clock and then, the Isle of Wight, with its high 

 rocks, came to view. While the raging waves were break- 

 ing on stony shore, a passing sun-ray dimly lightened its 

 crumbling walls. Within a minute's time the fog thick- 

 ened again and deprived us of the sight which had caused 

 a surprise, as we had found ourselves within a thousand 

 yards of the breakers. Good care was taken to> steer at 

 once toward the French coast. Four smaller vessels, 

 which were between us and the breakers, did likewise, 

 and it is to be hoped that they, too, escaped the danger, 

 though the immediate thickening of the fog prevented us 

 from watching them. On Friday, the 20th, we remained 

 almost without wind and not until evening could we sight 

 any land, when the island of Portsmouth with its pic- 

 turesque chalk rocks appeared at a distance of about four 

 miles and later in the night I caught a glimpse of the 



