Gresham Hotel, Sackville Street, Dublin

( Originally Published Early 1900's )

Friday Evening, August 18, 1865.

DEAR WILLIAM,-Safe in Dublin. Isn't it funny? The Scotia arrived at Queenstown at four this morning, and we at once went ashore. I breakfasted at Queenstown, and then took the train for Cork, where I spent three hours wandering up and down the queerest city that was ever made. It is one universal Sea Street and Fort Hill. The source whence all the Bid-dies and Patsies have flowed over the Atlantic was evident at once, and there are plenty more of the same sort to come.

At twelve o'clock we took the train for Dublin, and rode all the afternoon through the loveliest country that ever was seen, — endless fields with their green hedges and rich crops, and men and women together harvesting them. I reached here at six o'clock, and got a room in Gresham's Hotel, a good house which you will see marked upon the picture. It has been a perfect day, especially after the long confinement of the voyage.

How strange it seems to be here ! The old town, so far as I have seen it tonight, looks like Boston. To-morrow I shall see the great Exhibition and all the lions, and call on one or two people to whom I have introductions. The Archbishop (Trench), I am sorry to hear, is out of town. I shall stay here till over Sunday, and leave on Monday for Belfast and the Giant's Causeway ; but I only meant to say I am here safe. God bless you all !

Affectionately, PHILLIPS.