we spent a few days pleasantly seeing the lions of the great city and
visiting friends. On arrival at London we found that we had a week or
more before the ship sailed. Neither my father nor mother had been in
London before; all was as new to them as to us, and we made the best of
the time at our disposal.

On the evening of the day before the ship sailed, after seeing our
luggage on board, and cabins made ready for occupation, we accompanied
my father, mother, and brother to Euston Station, where they were to bid
us God-speed. I was in good spirits till then, but when on the railway
platform, a few minutes before the train started, my dear mother fairly
broke down, and the tears were stealing down my father's cheeks. The
less said about such partings the better; it was soon over, and the
train started. I never saw my dear old father again.

C---- and I, after watching the train disappear, started for the docks,
and before bed-time had made acquaintance with some of our future
_compagnons de voyage_.

The scene on deck was confusing and affecting. Upwards of four hundred
emigrants were on board, and the partings from their friends and
relatives, the kissings and blessings and cryings, mingled with the
shouting of sailors, hauling in of cargo and luggage, and general noise
and confusion incident to starting upon a long voyage, continued without
intermission until we were fairly under weigh about 11 o'clock at night.

After the unusual exertion and excitement of the day, we both slept
soundly, and when we awoke next morning, off Gravesend, we were
disappointed at having missed the "Great Eastern," lately launched and
then lying in the river.