human
Here is the city, Paul, said Dr. Winstock, as the Josephine rounded a bend in the river.
gpt
You can see the spire of Antwerp Cathedral.
human
I see it, sir. I have heard a great deal about it. This is farther than we have been from the sea since we sailed.
gpt
Yes, it is a long pull from the sea for a sailing vessel; but Antwerp is the only convenient port for visiting the greater part of Belgium. We are only a short distance from Brussels, Ghent, Malines, and Liége. I suppose we shall visit no other port in Belgium; indeed, there is no other convenient one, except Ostend.
human
There is a whole fleet of British steamers at anchor opposite the town,
gpt
A great many merchant steamers come up the river. There are regular lines to London and Harwich. By the latter route you may leave Antwerp at four in the afternoon and be in London at nine the next morning, though the Ostend or Calais line is quicker and better.
human
Those are large steamers,
gpt
Why, that's the Victoria and Albert! exclaimed the doctor, pointing to the largest of the ships.
human
That is the yacht of the Queen of England.
gpt
It is a pretty large yacht, replied Paul.
human
What are the other steamers?
gpt
They are the consorts of the yacht. The one that lies nearest to her is the Osborne, which was formerly the queen's state vessel. The others are merely a kind of guard of honor.
human
Does it take five steamships to bring the queen over to Antwerp?
gpt
She must go in state when she goes, added the doctor.
human
The Victoria and Albert is a ship of twenty-four hundred tons. I hope we shall have an opportunity to go on board of her.
gpt
I hope we shall; but that is hardly to be expected.
human
They do not exhibit her when she is in English waters, but I think they do when she is abroad.
gpt
All ready to moor ship, Mr. Terrill,