Travel Diaries and Journals

was [swept?] up in a [?] a large stone with him was layed on a few boards aracted for the purpose at the gangway, funerall service rode, in the Military fashon he there was committed to the watree grave, poor man he had undergone 2 Campanes, + endured the hard- -ships of the climate + dangers, + this far on his way home to see his people and had to part with his existance about 1000 Miles from the Cape of Good Hope, I is God who ordaines the things + we only may say that we hope God has taken from a world of many troubles to one whoes skies are Celestial + [?] the servents of God.

8th very slight winds today, scarcely sailing 60 Miles in 24 hours, but before Night I hope a breeze will come + send us over the waters a little farther about 4 o.c P.M. one of our [Stansal?] Booms was broken by to hard pulling

9th about one o.c. A.M. the wind brisked up + sent our ship along at a rate of about 7 or 8 Notes per hour, when we rose in the Morning how bright were every mans countinance as their eyes beheld the bonny sails [illegible?] + the ship speeding along so [rapidethy?], the Sailors are busy today preparing new [Stansale?] boom + new

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

Cape so that the first land we are likely to see is Madeira. At 5 oclock this afternoon a whale came tumbling out under our bows threw up a tremendous foam round about throwing up his tail & then sinking down under water a minute or two rising up again. We saw it on the surface about a dozen times. the sailors said it was about 20 or 30 feet long In the evening the boats were filled with officers singing smoking &ce. I turned into bed at 9 oclock & I could hear them singing & shouting long afterwards

Tuesday August 18th 1857

Got up at 6 this morning & went on deck 2 hours there is a fine fresh breeze & our ship is flying rapidly across the atlantic under full sail I went down to breakfast at 8 oclock. I thought I could eat with a good appetite but the first mouthful I took completely upset me there is a peculiar taste about everything which is most nauseating to me. a peice of tempting looking cold

they stopped. I expect that we will soon get sight of land now. Via Madeira. We are not to stop at the Cape if it can be avoided but push right on to Ceylon & there take in a fresh supply of coal We are now put on short allowance of water. One jugful each being the allowance. I do not know why they should do so because they have only to condense the steam produced by boiling Salt water. We have Salt water baths which we can have either hot cold or shower. I have not tried either yet but intend to begin soon. To night some of the young officers got up the rigging. the Sailors were very soon after them & tied them to the rope ladders. Until they paid their footing which was either 5 or 10/- (Summat to drink the genelmans health with) as they called it. There was one very green young fellow of an officer who was nicely caught. he was led into it by the others. They proposed to try a race to the top of the rope ladder & down the other side. This young fellow got off his coat to it The others let him

Dec 1 to 6th Gen Wyndham attacked by rebels at Cawnpore. [down into scored through] he retreated into entrenchments. tents of 4 regiments burned down by the sepoys. Releived by Sir Colin Campbell coming up to his assistance. Mail arrived from England per St [Steamer] Nubia, evening of Dec 5th. Commenced to write a letter home Sunday 6th have not as yet got any letters by this mail. Dec 6th to Jany. 19th. Still at Bany. Continued to dislike it. at last made up my mind to enter the companys service. got appointed to the "Proserpine". 12 guns Brig the Man of War for the Indian Coast. Joined her on the 19th. Saw Mr Bockeet Chf Officer on board. during the latter weeks I have received letters from home from Fred. & B, All well. Feby 12th. Received orders to join the transport Belgravia to take charge of sick & wounded to the Cape of Good Hope.