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SPEECHES IN THE CABIN, ETC.

osity; and, after dwelling on the advantages which an interchange of civilities amongst individuals belonging to two of the greatest nations of the world must produce, he proposed three cheers for Commodore Vanderbilt and his family. This call was right heartily responded to by the company, whose cheers rung through the ship for several minutes. Major Labau, on behalf of the commodore, thanked the Mayor and inhabitants of Southampton for the cordiality with which they had been received, reiterating the kindly and fraternal sentiments which characterized the speeches delivered at the banquet on the preceding day, and which cannot but be productive of good feeling and amity between the nations. The company were subsequently addressed, in obedience to calls made upon them, by the Rev. A. McLaren and F. Cooper, Esq., by which time the yacht had reached the entrance of the Southampton docks, where the excursionists took leave of their American friends, amidst the warmest expressions of affectionate regard and esteem.

During the whole of the day the greatest attention and courtesy was shown by the Americans to their numerous guests. The whole of the ship was thrown open to the visitors, and refreshments of every kind were served in the most lavish abundance. Although the number of persons on board (including the commodore and his family, the crew, &c.) could not have been much under five hundred, yet the great size of the ship, the splendid fittings and roomy arrangements of the cabin and saloons, and the convenient and extensive promenade afforded on the spar deck (nearly three hundred feet long), and other portions of the vessel, caused the party to appear by no means a large one. After dinner, the young folks repaired to the gun-deck, and had a joyous time in waltzing, with excellent music from the band. Among the visitors on this excursion were W. H. Wills, Esq., of Bristol, and the Rev. Mr. Gunn, of Warminster, who came on purpose to visit the yacht.

"The North Star goes through the water most beautifully, and

DEPARTURE FOR THE BALTIC.

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with great speed, the machinery working with exquisite smoothness. The two large sway-beams, working on deck at a great elevation, and communicating the driving-power to the ponderous cranks below, are a novel feature in this country, and give the ship a curious appearance from the distance.

"The North Star ran alongside the dock-head about half-past six o'clock, and the band played the national anthems of England and America whilst the company were landing."

DEPARTURE OF THE NORTH STAR.

"Immediately the English guests were all landed, the North Star put about, and bade a final adieu to Southampton, starting for the German Ocean. It is understood that she will proceed up the Baltic and the Neva, and from thence Commodore Van derbilt will visit the shores of the Mediterranean.

"Commodore Vanderbilt has left behind him agreeable reminiscences of his kindness and courtesy from the moment of his arrival. It is calculated that at least ten thousand persons have inspected the North Star at Southampton.* The yacht will not again call here, as she is to touch at Havre on her way from the Baltic trip to the Mediterranean.”

* A large party of visitors was on board at Southampton, who came from Scotland direct to visit the North Star.

MARLY AND MONPLAISIR FURNITURE · COTTAGE OF CATHE

PETER THE GREAT HIS HOUSE RINE A RIDE THROUGH THE GROUNDS WATER-WORKS, ETC. PETERHOFF IMPERIAL PALACE IMPERIAL YACHT, AND GRAND DUKE CONSTANTINE · ADMIRAL GLASSENAPP MR. MULLER MINIATURE PALACE

COSSACKS.

JUNE 14. - Immediately after landing our friends at Southampton, we steamed off, at about eight o'clock P. M., for St. Petersburg, making use of only two boilers, and consuming only twenty-five tons coal. The intense fog, which sprang up and continued for the next two days, deprived us of much enjoyment, and on the 15th and 16th we were unable to take observations. The 17th was a delightful, balmy day, and the sea continued, as it had been from leaving England, like a sea of glass. On the morning of the 18th we were all on deck at sunrise, enjoying a most charming view of the coast of Sweden and Denmark, as we were sailing through the narrow passes of the Skager Rack and the Cattegat. This is the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, and controversy runs sharp between the admirers of Wellington and the emperor. Alison's history is in great demand, and, of course, is criticized pretty freely. A recent attempt in New York to bolster up every act and opinion of the great man is also quoted as an indication of public opinion. A more unscrupulous vindication was never written in France; and, in many respects, it beats the emperor's own bulletins. That Napo

ELSINORE

SHIPS IN THE SOUND.

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leon was a great man, that he was, in many respects, a benefactor to France, no one will deny; but that his restless ambition was a scourge to Europe, is apparent; and the wisdom of the courts of Europe could devise no safety for themselves short of his overthrow. We were all enchanted with the prospect that opened upon us as we made Elsinore, and obtained a sight of Kronborg Castle, which is beautifully situated on the narrowest part of the sound, opposite the Swedish seaport of Helsinborg, about three miles distant. This noble fortress was built by Frederick II. at the close of the sixteenth century, and is regarded as one of the noblest castles of northern Europe. It is built in the Gothic style, and has several lofty towers and turrets. The design of the fortress was made by the great astronomer, Tycho Brahé. It was in this prison that Queen Caroline Matilda was so long confined, on account of her supposed criminal intercourse with Count Struensee. At this place is laid the scene of the great play of Shakspeare; but it is all the merest fiction, as we have no proof to show that Denmark ever had a Hamlet for its sovereign. Elsinore is a pretty town, with fine environs; its present population is about ten thousand. It is calculated that about eighteen thousand ships pass through the sound annually, and here it is that the tax is paid on their cargoes. This tax was reduced in 1842, and again in 1846. In 1847 the number of vessels which passed Elsinore was twentyone thousand five hundred and twenty-six, and in 1850 there were more than seven thousand British ships.

When we entered the sound we were presented with a most extraordinary spectacle; a calm had prevailed for a few days, and a vast collection of ships and vessels of all descriptions had gathered together; and now we found between Elsinore and Copenhagen, at a moderate estimate, I think, not less than one thousand, all under way. At one point Mr. Vanderbilt, Captain Eldridge, and other members of the party, reckoned two hundred and fifty-three sail in sight at once, and all, I think,

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COPENHAGEN NIGHT IN THE BALTIC.

within a circle of two and a half miles. Many of these were large ships, and several hoisted the stars and stripes. I think the distance from Elsinore to the capital is about twenty-five miles; and our entire passage was one of great beauty. The Swedish shore was very fine, and on the Danish coast we noticed several most enchanting spots. Here and there were old castles, and several fine woods. It was pleasant to observe the churches, all of which looked in good condition. At half-past eleven we stopped our steamer off Copenhagen, and a party landed to obtain supplies of milk, eggs, butter and poultry. Our friends returned from the city after a delay of four or five hours, but they brought a good account of the place, and very excellent supplies. The best-made butter that we saw on our whole voyage was that which came on board at Copenhagen. Here, too, we obtained fine fish from the fishing-boats that were near us and returning home. At quarter past four P. M., we were off for Russia.

Sunday, 19th June, was as beautiful a day as we could desire. The Baltic was as smooth as the Hudson, and we were not sensible of any motion excepting the rapid progress of our yacht. And now we were experiencing the novel pleasure of the long days which are known in this season in the high latitudes, and the marvellous stories of which we had read in our youth. It certainly was strange to find the night only lasting for about two and a half hours. This was the case on the night after leaving Copenhagen; and the most of it I passed on deck, in agreeable chat with Captain Eldridge, whose fund of knowledge, acquired by extensive travel and nautical experience, combined with great shrewdness of observation, always afforded us entertainment. After passing the grounds of Copenhagen, and taking our departure from the light-ship, we steered for the light-ship outside Falsterbo light-ship, stationed off the reef of the same name; and, on rounding this, we steered directly for Bornholm. In the evening we passed Bornholm, and I am quite sure that no one on board the North Star will ever forget the magnificence of the night.