170

166

Sunday January 18th 1857 Monté Video.
In bed all day from ague.

January 19th very restless all night - soon after
daylight the English mail came in got letters from
L, M & E with one from M in Canada with two papers. At 9 had a relapse almost
as soon as the first, and altho' I had so much
writing to do, I was obliged to lay down. In the
evening got up again feeling much better, going to bed,
after my boy had made my bed up, but not to sleep for
the fat headed Master's Assist made such a noise on deck
with the dogs.

January 19th Turned out at 5.30 and had a bath,
after which felt quite myself again. After a good breakfast
I finished and closed my annual accounts for sending
to England. Heard of our going out to the Flag
Ship tomorrow to take in the Admirals luggage. The
weather beautiful but very hot. During the forenoon I
was busy with my accounts. Persevered in my determinatioin
of leaving off smoking, and as every thing was
very dull, I went early to bed.

January 20th After breakfast went at it again, and
by noon, I was enabled to take my accounts in for the
signature of the Commdr, sealed them up and sent
it for conveyance to England. The hottest day we have
had, Thermom. in my cabin 92° in the sun, on deck
it rose to 130° - a steak might have been cooked
on the black paint work. The flies below were intolerable,
so that between me and the other, we were comfortably
situated. Had a game at Cribbage & turned
in very early.

January 21st Still oppressively hot. Getting