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

Monday August 17th 1857.

I awoke this morning at 6 oclock after a good nights sleep the steward brought me some coffee at 7 clock which did me a great deal of good I can get up now feeling only a little squeamish & a slight headache. on awaking here in the morning one night imagine they were in the midst of a farmyard. there are cocks crowing geese cackling pigs grunting ducks quacking sheep bleating cows bellowing dogs barking & the medley filled up by the "niggers" who make such a horrid yelling we have had rather a rough night of it the cabin windows are all bolted down. The Fushia which I got from Fred still keeps green although I am afraid it will not stand the voyage I lost a good deal of the earth out of the pot between London & Southampton & the sea air will be too strong for it. however I hope with good doctoring it may yet see Calcutta. I have been upon deck & what a beautiful sight meets the eye. Our fine ship tearing through the

been to Scott Thomsons with them & left again. Could not get them this evg. Met several ladies & gent boarders. Mrs. O. her daughter Mrs. Phillips & Low. two darkies Mrs. Osmond Mr. Richmond two brothers Dickson Mr. Thomas

==Tuesday Feby. 22nd. 1859 till Monday Feby. 28th. 1859==

During the last week I have continued to live at Mrs. Ogilvies calling at Kidderpore occasionally I have applied for leave from Govt. for 6 months & engaged to go home Surgeon in the Ivanhoe intending to pass if possible the Cos. Examination in London. poor Johnson is up from Anacan & is dying at the Genl. Hospital. Dined with Capt & Mrs. Dicey one evening last week. The