LETTERS FROM 1866 TO 1872. Si 



as much the other way, thanks to the fog. 

 Now I heard a bell ringing on shore the 

 matin bell and you cannot imagine how 

 strange that bell sounded. You must under- 

 stand no shore was visible. More firing and 

 whistling, until people began to think we 

 should have to remain till the fog cleared. 

 But I did not grumble ; rather, I was glad, for 

 this delay gave me the opportunity of seeing 

 the sun, just as the fog cleared, rise at sea 

 an indescribable sight : 



" ' Then over the waste of water 



The morning sun uprose, 

 Through the driving mist revealed, 

 Like the lifting of the Host 

 By incense clouds almost 

 Concealed.' 



A boat finally came off and piloted us into 

 harbour, which we reached at seven o'clock 

 Saturday morning eight hours' passage. 

 Numbers were ill the ladies, most dreadfully ; 

 I did not feel a qualm. I went on by the 

 next train at 9.30 to Brussels, and reached it 

 at one o'clock. . . ." 



Brussels, at this moment, was full of French 

 people mad with grief and excitement at the 



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