THE VOYAGE* 



3 



never to fix my attention upon any near object, and espe- 

 cially avoided reading or writing ; if necessary, I closed 

 my eyes altogether. Finally, I made it a point to go re- 

 gularly to the table and eat moderately of plain food. By 

 the careful observance of these precautions, I was enabled 

 to enjoy my voyage without interruption, and I came to 

 the conclusion that most persons, if in good health when 

 they embark, may avoid sea-sickness altogether by follow- 

 ing my example. 



In six days from the period of our departure we were 

 entering the harbor of Port Royal, having made the voy- 

 age in less time than it had ever been made before. From 

 the time we parted with our pilot off Sandy Hook, until 

 we arrived at Jamaica, our wheels never stopped. By 

 night and by day, whether we were sleeping or waking, 

 whether watching or dreaming, the massive engine beneath 

 us, like an imprisoned giant, with arms of iron and breath 

 of flame, toiled on without fatigue and without repose. 

 The weather was uniformly fine, and all the incidents of 

 the voyage conspired to make it pleasant. 



The interior accommodations of the Empire City are 

 palatial. I enjoyed the exclusive use of a state-room, most 

 eligibly situated with a sitting-room adjacent, luxuriously 

 furnished. Our table abounded with all the luxuries of the 

 New York market, dispensed by one of the most hospita- 

 ble of captains, and our company was exceedingly pleasant, 



