Travel Diaries and Journals

Lincoln to London

the country every field almost was covd. with water the grain some cut & some uncut lying steeped in it. At Lincoln we were obliged to change the line of rail. we got on to the Lincoln & Boston line the N.B. line being flooded The guard told us that a train had gone right on the N.B. line the day before was driven of the rails. Some passengers hurt & one nearly killed. As it was the line which we went on the train went through water nearly a mile (I believe it was mostly owing to the bursting of a large canal in Lincoln) We were detained 2 hours behind time of arriving in London by this means On arriving in London at King's Cross I was astonished to see the bustle & stir everywhere the whole side of the station lined with Cabs one of which I engaged & drove to the Waverly Hotel in Cheapside. I shortly after called on Mr Nisbet at Guy's Hospital He told I would require to be off immediately to Southampton as our vessel would sail early on Saturday morning.

London. As I had nothing particular to keep me in London I told him I was quite ready to go down to Southampton on the Friday night- we went through Guy's Hospital & St Thomas' An operation was going on at Guy's at which I think they would have been nothing the worse of the assistance of some of our Edinr. Surgeons. With proper teachers the students in Guy's ought to make good practitioners as they see an immense deal of practice both dispensary & Hospital. I was astonished to see the number of patients waiting I never saw anything like it in our Infirmary. I went through some of the principal thouroughfares in London & then returned to the waverly to dinner What a continual bustle & stir is going on in London every part you can turn your eyes to presents the same scene was very anxious to call at Morrison's warehouse but I was told by so many different people differrent directions to Fore Street that I was obliged to give up the search in case I should run short

London to Southampton

of time. I saw St. Pauls & thought to make it out from that but I got quite into a labyrinth of streets. I left London at 5 oclock by the S.W. Rail for Southampton & got there about 8 oclock & called on Smith Barry & Co Mr Gowan's agents. they took charge of my luggage & put in on board for me & told me that the "Candia" would clear out at 7 oclock next morning (Saturday) but that a steamer would be ready at 11 oclock to take out passengers I put up at the Crown Hotel all night. where although a very good Hotel & everything very clean to appearance I spent a most miserable night. I thought I had been served with some not inveterate skin disease or other, but however the morning proved the real nature of the case my neck & arms testified very plainly[?] the cause. I got up early posted a letter or two & then took a walk out to see Southampton I returned to breakfast & shortly after found a friend of James Forbes to whom I had a letter

Southampton

called on me. We called in a Druggists named Bartlett, a friend of his (& quite a character too) from whom I got a few medicines I had neglected to take with me. Mr Sirius (James Forbes's friend) came down to the quay with me & saw me off. Smith, Barry's Clerk came along with me as far as the "Candia" which was laying 2 miles down the river. A great crowd had collected on the quay to see us off, being quite a military time out on board. they gave us three cheers as we turned off & steamed down the river We came in view of the Candia & a fine looking vessel it is only lying rather low in the water this is owing to the heavy stock on board as they do not intend to stop at the Cape if it can be avoided. We got on board every is beautifully fitted up the Saloon is very handsome I should think 80 feet long & 18 broad very handsomely fitted up we stayed about 2 hours before setting sail the steamer which had

on bd. S.S. "Candia" off Southampton

brought us on board left giving us three cheers & waving of hats & hankerchiefs. Another steamer came out filled with passengers to have a look at us before sailing there were a great many ladies on board it. Some of then doubtless had friends on board as I saw more than one eye wet with tears. After this steamer left we got up steam & off we went gallantly down the river. The water was very smooth & we had a fine view of the country on each side going- How well I could have enjoyed that scene had you all been in the ship beside me but the idea that I was leaving the shores of Great Britain & with them all that was nearest & dearest to me on earth had nearly overcome me there was such a dull heavy weight at my heart that I could not take delight or interest in anything If before leaving a had had a word from home to tell me you were all well & happy with what a lightened heart I could have proceeded on the voyage