Part 1 (1/2)

Travels Through North America

by Berhard Saxe-Wei journal was by nomy travels, partly to recall past incidents at a future period, partly to give, with more ease and certainty, information to my much-honoured parents, my relatives, and friends, on any subject, upon which inquiry ht be made After my return, the book was read by several, for whose perusal it had not been altogether intended Many judicious persons ier number of readers, and variously and repeatedly requested its publication, in order to give it a more extensive circulation As I could not easily withstand these solicitations, and besides met with an experienced and worthy person, Counsellor Luden, to whoht without hesitation entrust the whole manuscript, I yielded; whether with propriety or not, I cannot tell

As to the voyage itself, I have nothing to say, either with regard to its cause or design The idea of visiting America, occupied me, almost from my earliest years Why this idea arose, or why it continued in my mind, is not a matter of much moment The chief reason was, I wished to see the neorld; the country; the people; their conditions and institutions; their customs and manners The more I became acquainted with the old world, the more my desire to see the new increased

The state and relations of the European countries, however, and the duties by which I deem myself bound, as a military man, to the country, to which I had dedicated my services, precluded the hope of an early accon Still I made the necessary preparations as far as e e At last Europe appeared to have attained a degree of tranquillity which would perhteen months, without a fear on e of the Netherlands, whom I have the honour to serve, not only allowed e in the Pallas, a royal sloop of war, cohly-esteemed, and experienced seaman

Under which order of travellers I a to poor Yorick's classification, is submitted to the decision of the kind reader

BERNHARD, _Duke of Saxe-Weimar_

Ghent, May 20, 1827

TRAVELS, &c

CHAPTER I

_Departure from Ghent-- Sojourn at hellevoetsluis-- Arrival at Spithead_

On the 4th of April, 1825, I set out from Ghent for Antwerp This ancient and noble city is in every point of view interesting; to the admirers of the fine arts, on account of the unique treasures she possesses; to the ainst the army of the Duke of Parma, and for her military and h hiuided the destiny of Europe; and to the philanthropist, who derives satisfaction fro prosperity ofthe victihbours, which kept the hty Scheld, the harbour of Antwerp, blockaded, she noerfully lifts her head above her rivals, and her coue, is annually becoht of the wise prince whoovernovernment yacht received us at Antwerp, and with a fair wind andof the 6th of April, to the road of hellevoetsluis, where the corvette Pallas was lying at anchor, which had orders to sail on the following day The first part of the voyage to hellevoetsluis is down the Scheld; the beautiful steeple of the cathedral of Antwerp long reht; the forts on both shores attract the attention of reat bridge between forts St Mary and St Philip, by which Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, crossed the stream and forced the city to surrender

At an hour's sail beloerp, the Scheld fore basin, and divides into two arms the East and West Scheld, which are separated by the island of _Zuid-Beveland_ The West Scheld is the deepest, and flows into the North Sea: we sailed on the eastern branch to the place of our destination

A century ago South Beveland ell cultivated, and contained a town and nues: it ed up by the water, and still remains overflowed It may be reserved for the creative spirit peculiar to our existing governive eh of the industrious farmer on the spot where at present the poor fisherman protracts a wretched existence

We afterwards left the East Scheld, and sailed past several well cultivated islands, protected against the violence of the stormy waves by artificial dams We entered upon the stream formed by the confluence of the Maas and Rhine, and advanced immediately to hellevoetsluis, whence in former times the victorious fleets of Holland frequently sailed to the remotest parts of the world, and dictated terms to her enemies The shi+ps which convey the treasures of the tropical regions to the rich city of Rotterdam, or carry the products of our own industry, as well as the defenders of our extensive possessions, are often obliged, by contrary winds, to reenerally very lively

The corvette _Pallas_, in which our government permitted me to sail for America, was a new vessel, fitted out as an instruction shi+p

A selection of young naval officers was e, asnaval architect named TROMP, a worthy descendant of historically renowned ancestors, whose deep knowledge, distinguished talents, and estimable character, I becae These selected officers were entrusted to the direction of Captain _Ryk_, one of our most approved commanders,[I-1] who had orders to visit solish and Ae ht best promote the interests of his country On this account the corvette was fitted out rather as a packet shi+p than asixes in the bows as chase guns; her battery consisted of eighteen twenty-four pound carronades I was established in the captain's cabin, and a swinging cot was suspended at night forplace

[Footnote I-1: For the benefit of my readers who are not military, I subjoin the names of offices in our navy, and their correspondence in rank with army offices:--

Adeneral

Rear-adeneral

Captain ” ” Colonel

Captain-lieutenant ” ” Lieutenant-colonel

Lieutenant of the first class ” ” Captain