Travel Diaries and Journals

I may spend abroad if spared. I have reason to be thankful that as yet my news from home has been of so cheering a kind. I had a search through my letters this morning as I thought I had lost Mary's + Willies last. I was as happy when I found it as if I had met an old friend. In fact I look upon letters as my only friends here I must begin & make a note or two about the manners & customs of the "Belgravia". it is a dry old stick of a ship but still it suits me very nicely. Here is the old Major Genl who has been in India 50 years & only once home during that period he is a good natured old man although he got rather crusty the other day when I kept drumming away upon the stewards concertina (playing from the music as of old). he has been dyspeptic the last day or two [but scored through] & looks rather glum

man to remain there. Mr. Woodward Mestier & Harper dined with us three nights ago. Bowen & I dined at Woodwards got the loan of Johnsons Pie Cart.

Sept 10th. Today wrote a Communication to the Rising Sta about the post office about receipt of Willies letter dated June 13th which Cassiagni copied for me. This is a very warm day. Therm[underscored] 82 in the shade & a cloudless sky.

Sept 17th 1858. Friday

The weather has been very warm for the last few days Therm. as high as 95° sometimes beneath the Awnings. two days ago however it blew a good breeze from the South & East which with rain has cooled down the atmosphere very much. lightning very

In the evening Mr. & Mrs. Chapman & Morris[written below] Capt. & Mrs. Eales came of & 150 Natives as we are to start for Chittagong at daylight tomorrow.

Sunday Nov 21st. 1858

Left Akyab at 5.40 this morning for Chittagong. With a fine breeze the weather beautifully cool. went on deck at 5.45. 10 oclock passed oyster island. beautiful clear moonlit night went along about 10 miles distant from land. remained on the bridge with Bowen & O'Shanntsky[?] till 9 oclock. went to bed at 9.30. roused up right 11.30 to See Edith. have today read 2 chapters of Exodus the plagues of the Egyptians, & some home letters, Jessies Marys & Willies of June July & August.

Monday Nov. 22nd. 1858

Up at 5.30. went on the Bridge till 6.20. Still moving along in our course to Chittagong an appearance

Wednesday Decr. 22nd. 1858

Up at daybreak. walked an hour on deck went down & dressed expect the "Sr. Warrine" today "Sr. Burmah" arrived today at 4 ocl bringing Mary & Willies letter of the 8th Novr. all well palau to leave on the 19th with inclosure from Fred

Thursday Decr. 23rd. 1858

Up at 1/2 past 7 had a play at Single Stick with Cassiagni & Bowen before breakfast remined on bd. all day did not go ashore in the evg. reading North & South.

Friday Decr. 24th. 1858

up between 7 & 8 fine cool morg. dined at the Capts. at six ocl Xmas Eve. Met Mr & Mes. B Harper Dibbs Bowen Cassiagni Law. had singing after dinner sung Queens Letter & Across the Braes. got on bd. about 12 ocl.

Edinburgh

Saturday Augt. 6th. 1859

at Waverly & I started for Kings X about 9. very cold in the train all night. Got into Edinr. about 9. Met Willie & Bob Auld at the train. Willie grown so tall I scarecly knew him. got home in a Cab. found all my traps but the large box My Father & Jessie at home. Mary got mar- ried yesterday. Robt. gone whale fishing. Fred gone on an excursion remained home all day chatting with my Father & Jessie Bob Auld & Willie wanted me to go up to Rail to meet Fred in the evg. did not go.

Sunday Augt. 7th. 1859.

Went to Broughton church this forenoon with Jessie a strange minister. Came home Bob called went to Trinity with . Mrs. T. Maria & Fred at home