We arrived here (at the Havana), after a ten or eleven days' voyage–three days, however, of which we were detained at Tampico; for the sea ran so high, the little steamboat that was to bring out the specie could not get over the bar sooner. The bar was cross, they said!

We found the “Thames” a charming ship; so clean, and cool, and large – and we had several very agreeable passengers. Among them were Lord M. Kerr and Mr. Bayard Taylor–the author of some beautiful poetical pieces, and of a work entitled “Views Afoot.” He performed a pedestrian tour nearly all over Europe. He was then returning from California, and is, I believe, on the eve of publishing a work–already prepared for the press – relating to that country, which, I should think, would be exceedingly interesting. He is a very gentleman-like young man, and appears full of intelligence and information.

Mr. Hill, an English gentleman just returned from a lengthened tour, was also on board. He had been living between two and three years in Russia and Siberia (the last not involuntarily!), having latterly come from South America and Polynesia. He had sailed from Kamskatka, in a Russian merchant ship, and while in South America had made several excursions inland. His account of the poorer classes in Siberia (where the peasants are not serfs) made one think they must form almost the happiest and most flourishing peasantry in the world.