all spick and span, laden to
the water-line with precious freight, her enormous funnels belching
clouds of black smoke, with white steam hissing from every part of her
giant hulk, as if the imprisoned energy were eager to put its power to
the test; the air filled with the babel of many voices, smart stewards
standing at attention on the lower deck, ready to serve the embarking
passengers, uniformed sailors hurrying to obey sharply given orders;
officers resplendent in immaculate white duck and gold braid, solemnly
promenading the bridge, as if impressed with the weight of their
responsibility; excited travelers arriving in every description of
vehicle; messengers rushing here and there with floral baskets and
hot-house fruit sent as parting gifts; telegraph-boys bringing words of
farewell; tear-stained faces smiling _au revoir_, handkerchiefs waving
and much shouting; policemen pushing back the spectators anxious to see
the last of friends and relatives; the crowd growing gradually smaller
and the shouts more distant as the leviathan swings out in to the
stream--all this makes up a picture which, once beheld, is forever
engraved on heart and memory.

The annual around-the-world cruise of the palatial Blue Star steamer
_Atlanta_, 17,000 tons, was always an event of more than ordinary
interest, and sailing-day never failed to draw a large crowd. In fact,
going down to the dock to give a noisy send-off to those friends lucky
enough to be able to make the delightful Mediterranean trip had of
recent years assumed the importance of a social function. The voyage
being pre-eminently for health and pleasure, it generally attracted a
goodly number of well-to-do and congenial people. Many of the
passengers, moving in the same sets in society, were already well
acquainted before going on board, and strangers had no difficulty in
securing introductions. Almost as soon as the anchor was weighed, the
barriers of exclusiveness were thrown down. Before the vessel had
proceeded very far from port, every one knew every one else, and the
ship's company had become one big jolly family.

The passenger-list contained many names well known in society. Mrs.
Townsend Lee, one of the leaders of New York's 400, was on board; so was
Mrs. Wesley Stuart, whose _musicales_ were counted among the most
delightful affairs of the season. Professor Hanson, the noted
sociologist, was a passenger; so also was Mrs. Phelps, the wealthy young
widow whose rece