Emigrants leaving their lodging house on Great George Square, heading for the Cunard ship, Lucania

Leaving from Liverpool

Liverpool

Our train arrived in Liverpool today shortly after seven o’clock in the evening. Even at this hour it is as noisy, dirty and crowded as London, although I was much impressed by the buildings, docks and ships. We had been told to go straight to the offices of the line on which we would sail, but instead we wandered the streets, lost and tired.

Everywhere there are people. We saw many sorry souls, dragging their sacks, confused and lonely – it is easy to see why people leave these shores. There are many foreign people here and I am especially struck by the number of Irish – it is hard to believe we are not in Dublin. Every one of them looks ill and tired. Almost everyone here seems to be selling something – even foreign money. There is the constant call of people with boards and handbills , selling passage on the fastest, cleanest ships afloat.

A cheery looking boy with dirty clothes took one of Joseph’s boxes and offered to show us to a good hotel. Sarah was very tired and wanted to follow him but I was not sure. What would you have done?