Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/36

38 in the boat, I hallooed so that they had to send me back.

But again I grew homesick, and, though all around were kind to me, I felt like a stranger in a strange land. I had but ten dollars in the world, and, at Gravesend, as well as everywhere else, I knew I should lose my friends as soon as they discovered I had no money. I desired to go home, but could not do so without money. I had health and a trade, and though I felt a little lazy, yet I went to work to recruit my exhausted treasury. I went to London and taught ladies' maids to dress hair, got a little ahead in purse again, and returned to Gravesend, upon an occasion when the queen embarked, on a small royal cutter, for her estates in Scotland. I stood upon the pier until the fairy vessel passed by, and distinctly saw her majesty, standing upon the deck, surrounded by lords, ladies and gentlemen, with liveried servants in attendance. The vessels in the harbor, bearing the flags of every nation, suddenly hoisted them as the royal cutter glided along, and the roar of cannon was so tremendous that I was deafened for hours afterward; but I was so inspirited by the scene, that, for a few moments, I wished myself a man and in her majesty's service.

This fete day ended with a dinner party, at which I was dressed in my best, and a visit to Covent Garden Theater in the evening.

I now began to think I had seen about all I could in England, and resolved, for about the fiftieth time, to go home, but, again, I had no money. I went on board of the packet ship Philadelphia, however, told the captain I was penniless, but must go home on his