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Sunday May 8th. 1859.
I said to myself yesterday when I lost at
last the sound of cheers and the sight of
the waving signals on board the barges of
my escort and they turned and took up
their course to the Battery that if good wishes
could secure me a prosperous voyage such an
one was now before me. Certainly it begins
auspiciously. As ^noon^ we li soon as we reached
the open sea we spread foresail and main-
sail to a generous Western breeze which
labored hard emulously not to be left be-
hind by the motion derived from the mass-
ive engine – Engine and breeze have worked
harmoniously together. I have seen the sun
and the moon successively set behind the
Western shores and the sun rise again
from the Eastern floods each unobs-
cured by haze or cloud. Spite of all
I was told I think the "Ariel" a proper
ship. Her captain is certainly a true
seaman and gentleman. Her passengers
courteous and social. I wish that I could

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assure them all that they will be successful in
the enterprises which lead them to Europe. The
young American who with certificates that his
voice is sonerous and practicable, goes to
Naples to study for the Opera, how sore his
disappointment if the vouchers were written in
courtesy without Knowledge! The inventor who
expects to enjoy the profits of monopoly under
patents to be obtained in England France and
Russia – will his fortune be increase or ^wasted?^
I do not know. I would prefer a simpler trade
or more regular professions. Is it really true
that a rich man died leaving six acres of
dwellings and shops in Paris fifty years ago
to unknown heirs and have these two adven-
turers at last found the true and lawful
inheritors in St Louis and will the proof
they carry with them secure them that vast estate
just so soon as they submit them to a notary
in that metropolis? I doubt.