Transcribe Hornaday, W. T. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1879-02-24)

But she made up in flags all that she lacked in guns & armor plates, which is about the way with our entire navy I believe. Thank heaven! I have seen an American war vessel at last. It </s only > carries 4 small guns & is a side-wheeler at that, but it is still an American war vessel, and is the greatest curiosity I have seen since leaving home. I was afraid that I was doomed to travel quite around the world without ever coming within a thousand miles ^of^ a vessel belonging to the U.S. navy, but such as it is, here is one at last. I wish I could add it to my collec- tion of curiosities,

    There is a museum here in the Town

Hall which I shall visit at the earliest opportunity. I am told it is not much of a museum, but I am sure that how- ever much it may not have it </u will > have a marble statue of the former Gov- ernor of Hong Kong and perhaps the Queen who was so most graciously and serene- ly pleased to bestow her</s y > own name- Victoria - upon this city which the vulgar herd refuse to adopt. Which proves