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off in millions, however I cleared my cabin, and went to sleep after making it Saturday night.

Sunday February 8th 1857. Rives-Parand. At 3 am I woke very thirsty and went into the Gun Room for a glass of water, leaving my cabin door open, not more than a minute, and on my return found it full of them: to sleep was impossible so I went on deck, and walked till day lightcame in, and then tried it again, but it was no use, so I got my feet in a bucket of water, mixed a glass of brandy and water and at last fell asleep in my chair, walking at 7 when it was time to shave and wash. At 10 we went to Divisions, the Admiral again going the rounds as usual: afterwards we had Church, the Admiral reading the Psalms and 2nd lesson. At noon the breeze shifted to the Sward and we made sail. Passed several small schooners. At 3 we were in sight of Bella Vista and a little after dark came to an anchor, some of the Officers went ashore.

February 9th At 5 weighed, and steamed away but got ashore about an hour afterwards, but soon got her off again without any damage, and made sail before a strong SW breeze for Corrientes. We kept the breeze all day. Saw a deer swimming across the River. In the evening at 7.30 came to an anchor, about 9 miles from Corrientes. Comfortably cool and not a single mosquitoe went early to bed and slept very soundly.

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February 10th At 5 got under weigh and proceeded for Corrientes where we arrived & anchored at 7.30. After Quarters the Band continued to play much to the amusement of the people who came down in crowds. At 10 the Flag Lieut called on the Captain of the Port and Governor to ascertain when it would be convenient for them to receive the Admiral. At 11 Admiral, Secretary, Flag Suff, & Coran went ashore in Cocked hats and side arms, and were soon followed by a crowd of ragged lousy urchins. They returned at noon. At 2.30 one of our boys fell overboard, who was unable to swim, and the Commdr being on deck at the time, at once jumped overboard, just as he was dressed, and fortunately succeeded in saving the poor devil just as he was going down. Any quantity of visitors on board, some by swimming and others in boats: several women wished to come up but were not allowed. In the afternoon it was very hot but several of the Officers went on shore. A little before sunset several laies and gentlemen came on board, to see our ship, and hear the band. After some refreshment they went on shore, apparently highly pleased. In the evening many of the Officers went ashore again.

February 11th 7.30 Lighted fires - 9 steam up10.33 shortnened in cable. A Gentleman came on board for a passage to Assumpsion. A French Surgeon came on board bringing a very rare plant, which he wished to send to England, but as we were

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to call here on our way back, he preferred taking it ashore again with him. In a conversaation with the Flag Suff found that the Admiral was 59 years of age but more like a man of my own age. The more I see of him and talk with him the more I like and respect him. On going out of port the band was turned up and played several tunes. May of the soliders came off to see the ship. In the afternoon we went to sea or rather up the river, anchoring at dark.

February 12th Weighed again at daylight and were brought to a stop about 9 by a fort firing three guns at us, but on our sending a boat on shore it was all right, only sorry the guns were not shotted, as we should very soon have blown their defences to pieces. After going some distance we again anchored for a Pilot, and by three we were once more under weigh for Assumpsion, anchoring again at dark when the mosquitoes came off in the old style.

February 13 At it again at daylight: morning very hot. 9, went to General Quarters: beer and [?] at 10 among the Staff. The River getting narrow and the mosquitoes intolerable. After we had anchored at dusk, a steamer was reported coming down the River, and in a short time she anchored and two of the Officers came on board and after remaining about an hour, returned. At 5.30 the Steamer left - on the 14th in order to show us the way up the River

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February 14th At daylight went to work again: passed any quantity of Alligators, Condors, Geese, River Pigs in sort all sort of devils; wasps were terrible, and Dr Martin got stung very severely, and got into a great funk about it. Thermometer in my cabin 99°. Several Valentines knocking about. Had another Pampero. Anchored at dusk. No Saturday night.

Sunday February 15th Weighed at daylight, and soon afterwards got on shore. A strong breeze blowing from the SEward, which soon changed to the Nward, causing the Thermometer to rise from 88° to 105°. About 2 the Admiral, Secretary, and Flag landed and proceeded over land to Assumpcion. In the evening most of the officers went ashore. No mosquitoes and the gun room quiet for a w., embraced the opportunity and turned in very soon.

February 16th At daylight - commenced discharging coals, water &c, so as to lighten our draft of water. Several Officers & Commdr went on shore shooting, Christian being the first to return with a brace of Partridges, and several parrots. Pilots went away sounding, it being so shoal that we could not get any further ahead. A large increase in the Sick List from Diarrhoea, probably occasioned by the water. At 9.30 a Foreign Officer came on board. Rather cool

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Cool Thermometer only 104° in my cabin so that I feel myself gradually melting away. Strange tho' true, there was not a single mosquito on board, altho' it was quite calm and we were laying not more than 15 yards from shore. Dr Martin came back with a few doves, which we were glad to have made into a pie, for breakfast next day. Officers went ashore again in the evening.

February 17th Commenced steaming at daylight and very soon got hard and fast opposite a Spanish Fleet: got hawsers out and Hedges, and worked till midnight, without any effect, after landing most of our coals, and several tons of shot. Many visitors from the shore.

February 18th At daylight commenced again, and after some trouble got her over the pass just as the Flag Suff was seen opposite but of course we did not wait for [?] but proceeded at full speed for assunsion, where we anchored. The Commander went ashore to wait on the Admiral, and on his return we saluted their Flag with 21 guns, the Admirals and our Consuls. Several visitors from the shore and also from some Steamers at anchor.

February 19th At anchor off the City of Ascunsion. About 10 the Flag Lieut came on board. Before noon a Pampero came off