Chapter 6—Life On Board the Great Eastern
The next day, the 27th of March, the Great Eastern coasted along the deeply indented Irish shore. I had chosen my cabin at the bows; it was a small room well lighted by two skylights. A second row of cabins separated it from the first saloon, so that neither the noise of conversation, nor the rattling of pianos, which were not wanting on board, could reach me. It was an isolated cabin; the furniture consisted of a sofa, a bedstead, and a toilet-table.
The next morning at seven o’clock, having crossed the first two rooms, I went on deck. A few passengers were already pacing the upper decks; an almost imperceptible swell balanced the steamer; the wind was high, but the sea, protected by the coast, was comparatively calm.
Soon we came in sight of Q
