3-034-591 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Arrival of the French Mail-Boat at Dover", by T. Weber, 1871. Engraving of a painting '...which was in the last exhibition at the French Gallery. We have several times made the rapid journey from Paris to London by mail-train and steamer, and more than once in what to a landsman was bad weather, yet we do not remember to have seen the sea breaking over the railway lines as here shown. However, the artist is doubtless correct. That it has been a stormy night is evident by the condition of the sky, though the morning is breaking to the east with a promise of more moderate weather. The packet - its two funnels and flag just visible beyond the pier-head wall - lies comparatively sheltered; but this is the exposed front, outside the harbour, and here the breakers have full swing...the train can wait for neither wind nor tide; the shrill whistle pierces above the blast, the signalman waves his flag, and we are off - riding, like Death the Lover, in Burger's ballad, o'er sea and land. We have hinted that our want of observation may not be unusual. It is so engrossingly pleasant to set one's foot once more on terra firma - meaning, of course, dear Old England - that you are content to have done with the sea for a time'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.