At 11 o'clock all of us gathered to breakfast around
a long table in the great ward room--I among the rest--a genial,
plentiful, hospitable affair every way--plenty to eat, and of the
best; became acquainted with several new officers. This second visit,
with its observations, talks, (two or three at random with the boys,)
confirm'd my first impressions.
MATURE SUMMER DAYS AND NIGHTS
_Aug. 4_.--Forenoon--as I sit under the willow shade, (have retreated
down in the country again,) a little bird is leisurely dousing
and flirting himself amid the brook almost within reach of me.
He evidently fears me not--takes me for some concomitant of the
neighboring earthy banks, free bushery and wild weeds. _6 p.m._--The
last three days have been perfect ones for the season, (four nights
ago copious rains, with vehement thunder and lightning.) I write this
sitting by the creek watching my two kingfishers at their sundown
sport. The strong, beautiful, joyous creatures! Their wings glisten in
the slanted sunbeams as they circle and circle around, occasionally
dipping and dashing the water, and making long stretches up and down
the creek. Wherever I go over fields, through lanes, in by-places,
blooms the white-flowering wild-carrot, its delicate pat of
snow-flakes crowning its slender stem, gracefully oscillating in the
breeze,
EXPOSITION BUILDING--NEW CITY HALL--RIVER TRIP
PHILADELPHIA, _Aug. 26_.--Last night and to-night of unsurpass'd
clearness, after two days' rain; moon splendor and star splendor.
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