OVER THE OCEAN;

[i]

PREFACE.

The following pages are the record of the fruition of yearsof desire and anticipation; probably the same that fills thehearts of many who will read them—a tour in Europe.

The habits of observation, acquired by many years' constantoccupation as a journalist, were found by the authorto have become almost second nature, even when the dutiesof that profession were thrown aside for simple gratificationand enjoyment; consequently, during a journey of nearlyseven months, which was enjoyed with all the zest of a firsttour, the matter which composes this volume was prepared.

Its original form was in a series of sketches in the columnsof the Boston Commercial Bulletin. In these the writer attemptedto give as vivid and exact an idea of the sightsand scenes which he witnessed as could be conveyed tothose who had never visited Europe.

Whether describing Westminster Abbey, or York Minster,Stratford-on-Avon, or the streets of London; the wondersof the Louvre, or the gayeties and glitter of Paris; the grandeurof the Alpine passes; the quaintness of old continentalcities; experiences of post travelling; the romantic beauties[ii]of the Italian lakes; the underground wonders of Adelsberg,or the aqueous highways of Venice,—the author aimed togive many minute particulars, which foreign letter-writersdeem of too little importance to mention, but which, nevertheless,are of great interest to the reader.

That the effort was, in some measure, successful, has beenevinced by a demand for the sketches in permanent form,sufficient to warrant the publication of this volume.

In so presenting them, it is with the belief that it may bepleasant to those who have visited the same scenes to revisitthem in fancy with the writer, and with a hope thatthe volume may, in some degree, serve as a guide to thosewho intend to go "over the ocean," as well as an agreeableentertainment to the stay-at-homes.

C. G.

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CONTENTS.