Perhaps the show on the horseback road was prettiest. Many groups
(threes a favorite number,) some couples, some singly--many
ladies--frequently horses or parties dashing along on a full run--fine
riding the rule--a few really first-class animals. As the afternoon
waned, the wheel'd carriages grew less, but the saddle-riders seemed
to increase. They linger'd long--and I saw some charming forms and
faces.
DEPARTING OF THE BIG STEAMERS
_May 25._--A three hours' bay-trip from 12 to 3 this afternoon,
accompanying "the City of Brussels" down as far as the Narrows, in
behoof of some Europe-bound friends, to give them a good send off. Our
spirited little tug, the "Seth Low," kept close to the great black
"Brussels," sometimes one side, sometimes the other, always up to
her, or even pressing ahead, (like the blooded pony accompanying the
royal elephant.) The whole affair, from the first, was an animated,
quick-passing, characteristic New York scene; the large, good-looking,
well-dress'd crowd on the wharf-end--men and women come to see their
friends depart, and bid them God-speed--the ship's sides swarming with
passengers--groups of bronze-faced sailors, with uniform' d officers
at their posts--the quiet directions, as she quickly unfastens and
moves out, prompt to a minute--the emotional faces, adieus and
fluttering handkerchiefs, and many smiles and some tears on
the wharf--the answering faces, smiles, tears and fluttering
handkerchiefs, from the ship--(what can be subtler and finer than this
play of faces on such occasions in these responding crowds?--what go
more to one's heart?)--the proud, steady, noiseless cleaving of the
grand oceaner down the bay--we speeding by her side a few miles,
and then turning, wheeling,--amid a babel of wild hurrahs, shouted
partings, ear-splitting steam whistles, kissing of hands and waving of
handkerchiefs.
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