Dear Brother,--If things continue favorable, our voyage across the Atlantic will be completed some time this evening. All unite in pronouncing it an exceptionally pleasant and speedy one. The ocean has been calm as the Pacific; the weather fine and wind so favorable that canvas has been spread almost continuously. The vessel is well officered and appointed, the crew capable and the company numerous and motley. Ninety-two passengers came on board at Queenstown, making in all 946. Among them is a considerable sprinkling of grotesque looking Poles, or Polish Jews as they are styled by some, on account perhaps of the forms and ceremonies which they observe on deck with such oriental strictness and devotion. In the cabin is "Sir Roger Tichborne," the claimant, or plain "Mr." as his title appears on the printed passengers' list. His object in crossing to America is to make a lecturing tour throughout the United States.

As for our company of Saints they are feeling first rate, and are considerably elated just now at the early prospect of being on terra firma once again. Seasickness among them has been the exception and not the rule. Owing to the favorable voyage, the great majority escaped with nothing more serious than a qualmish twitter about the seat of digestion, the effects of which soon passed off, leaving them with appetites sharp and vigorous. We have held sacrament meetings with them yesterday and the Sabbath before, and also general service on Thursday night.

The vessels we signaled on the way reported many icebergs, and on the sixth day out a floating mountain of ice was a phenomenon that we all ardently hoped to witness, but the captain's solicitude for the welfare of the vessel seemed paramount to every other consideration, and he gave the iceberg region a wide berth by steering [p.397]south nearly to the 41st parallel of latitude. While this southern course has increased the distance, it has also diminished the dangers of the voyage. But very little fog has been encountered, and as a natural consequence we have not been much afflicted with t he doleful music of the fog horn. Today the sky is clear, and the temperature, which is warm and genial, operates on our feelings as unmistakable indications of a near approach to the land

"Where warmer suns dispense serener light,

And milder moons imparadise the night."

With kind regards from the returning missionaries to all at "42,"

I remain yours faithfully,

Ricy H. Jones

P.S. New York, Tuesday, 2 p.m.—Arrived this morning. It is hoped that we will begin our overland journey tomorrow evening. Castle Garden are said to be overcrowded now, and we are not in haste to leave the ship. [p.398]

R. H. J.

BIB: Jones, Ricy H. [Letter] Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 48:25 (June 21, 1886) pp. 397- 98. (CHL)
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