* ILLUSTRATIONS OPPOSITE PAGE 84.-1. Chamois. 2. Castle of Chillon. ILLUSTRATION.—5. (Opposite page 158,) Mold of Dead Man found at Pompeii. BREVITY is the soul of wit, and it is also a desirable characteristic in the preface of a book; but the writer can scarcely permit the opportunity to pass without a few words to the friends for whom this volume was prepared. A package of letters is stored away in the secret drawer of one of the Three, kind words are treasured in the storehouse of Memory, and Imagination accompanies these pages to the pleasant homes where teachers, and pupils, and the friends of all days, read and talk of the wanderings of their independent friend. Accept most heartfelt thanks for your prompt replies and generous offers, and be assured that labor has been amply rewarded, as is always the case with the labor of love. THE OCEAN VOYAGE. CHAPTER I. T was at the close of spring-time, 1873, that we United States Girls left our homes to become a party of adventurers. We did not call ourselves triumviri, for not a man entered our ranks; we were scarcely triumfeminæ, for one of our number could not yet claim the name of woman; but we were, nevertheless, three, crossing the broad Atlantic to visit the Old World. We did not represent many of the professions so actively pursued in Uncle Sam's dominions, for one had not reached the age to choose her walk in life, and one was a lady of leisure; one of the three had for a score of years borne the name of teacher. We adopted as our watchwords, Independence and Self-Reliance, and, with sachels and shawl-straps, boldly entered upon our journey. We were among the first to go on board the California, and we lingered upon the deck to make a survey of our fellow-passengers, who came in such numbers that we feared for the capacity of the ship to harbor them all comfortably; but when the bell sounded as a signal for departure, the crowd went toward the land, and the few remained to embark upon the bosom of the deep. The day was all that human beings could ask, bright and beautiful, giving promise of future good to both land and sea of spring-time and harvest to the one, of prosperous voyage and safe return to the other. The people on the shore waved a long adieu, to which the voyagers responded heartily. Slowly but surely we moved away, and soon the connection with those upon land was only by the unseen bonds that unite kindred hearts, however wide they may be separated. Beautiful beyond description was the first day's sail;-calm and peaceful was the deep, and clear and bright was the dome of heaven. The sun sank peacefully behind the waters, and the moon and stars looked familiarly upon us. With a feeling of trust we went to our berths, and we said within our hearts that it was a good beginning. Equally promising was the following day—the first day of the Sumand it was also the Sabbath day upon the sea as it was upon the land. The church bell sounded at the usual hour, not, however, from lofty tower, sending its peal through hill and dale, but calling in unmistakable tones to assemble for the worship of God. Closing the eyes to all evidences of the fitness of the room for administering bodily food, we were permitted to receive spiritual food at the hands of a pastor from the sister State of Kentucky. The remainder of the day was not particularly marked in its observance as the one in seven, but was pleasantly spent in friendly intercourse. mer The hours thus far had been bright, golden ones, and the vessel seemed a miniature world sent adrift on the ocean of space sailing on and on to find its orbit far beyond the lesser stars which dotted its course when first it was launched. No excitement disturbed the breast of the passengers save when the report became current that a lady with children had left her well-filled trunks in the hands of a careful husband and they were still safe on dry land. The question was freely discussed how they should manage to procure a change of garments and all the little conveniences of travel. The sachels of the three contributed something to alleviate the perplexities of the occasion. The monotonous round of chit-chat and game, and the measured walk over the deck of the vessel was occasionally varied by the sound of the bell at the |