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almost impossible to write, or do anything else. In the afternoon an order came off for the Band to be sent to the Wasp, and in lieu of them we are to receive some quantity of Marines. Several men killed & wounded on shore. In the evening played at whist and turned in to bed after a quiet smoke.

March 27th At 7.30 Lieut Bushell came on board, on his way to the Wasp, to bring Captn Fellows and the Marines, and at eleven any quantity of Red Jackets came off, but only with a Sergeant in Command. Lots of firing on shore in the evening. Great pleasure in not being disturbed by the Bughlers, but very much annoyed about our Mess Regulations, which are getting worse every hour. In the evening we had whist in the Gun Room, and after a pipe turned in.

March 28th At 10 Christian came off. No news from the shore. Dr McEwan of the Wasp came on board. Shortly afterwards an order was sent from the Admiral for every thing to be in readiness for the coming crisis, a boat with an Officer, blue lights & rockets to remain off the pier all night, so as to communicate with our Admiral at the earliest opportunity. All the Officers who were on shore including Dr Martin who thought he might be wanted were all sent off, and Lieut Bushell was made Commg Officer.

In the evening we had whist and after a pipe turned in with the expectaton of being turned out every five minutes.

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Sunday March 29th 1857 Buenos Ayres. The Commander did not come off as usual, so Lieut Bushell inspected Divisions & lower deck but had no Divine Service. During the forenoon Captain Fellows came off and mustered the Marines. Two or three Officers went on leave to sunset, and by 9 PM all was dark & quiet.

March 30th Commdr came off with an order from the Admiral for me to go on board - the Wasp on a Survey on her Paymaster: blowing fresh and she laying at least 6 miles off in the Outer Roads. Captn Fellows again mustered the Marines. Felt rather funkish as the Commdr carried on so much in the whaler, that I really expected every minute to have a capsize It was after 12 before we got back, and after dinner felt very glad to lay down.

March 31st Turned out very unwell, and was sorry to find that Dr Martin was ashore as I could hardly stand upon my legs, however I managed to get through my work. Commdr came to sign Quarterly Bills.

Wednesday April 1st 1857 At Buenos Ayres During the night, a fire occurred in the City, but did little damage. At 7.30 a Steamer came in from Paraguay, and was boarded by us when great excitement took place among our Men of War, and signals very soon went up from the Admiral, to discharge Supernumaries to Harrier, including Captn Fellows, for a passage

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to Monte Video. Blowing hard with occasional showers of rain. Most of the Officers on shore on leave.

April 2nd Very cold, thermometer down to 60°. Sent boat for Commdr. Finished my Quarterly accounts and concluded (as close as possible) letters for Home. In the morning, while playing at cribbage, heard of a chance of sending letters home cheap, finished mine at once, & gave them to the Secretary's Clerk.

April 3rd Thermometer 56° and blowing fresh. An accident occured by a bucket falling on a man's head making a nasty gash in the scalp: it was sewn up, and will no doubt heal soon. A boat went for Commdr at 7.30. Came off at 10, but had not been long on board before a signal was made, and he had to return again. In the afternoon it came on to blow very fresh and was very cold. In the evening we had cards.

April 4th Still very cold, thermom. 54°. Sent the galley for the Admiral. Cleaned ship throughout. Commander came off in the forenoon, and went ashore again in the evening. Had a quiet game at whist, a pipe, Saturday night and turned in.

Sunday April 5th 1857. Buenos Ayres. A beautiful morning, but cold. Sent a boat for Commdr. At 10 mustered by open list, and performed Divine Service. Arrived during a Church time a small steamer apparently from up the River. All the Officers on board for once. An order from the Admiral came off about

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the New Uniform: unfortunately I have none, and not able or willing to get any, there being every probability of soon getting our relief from England, God grant it may be the case. Had another row with the Commdr about a patient of mine, altogether very uncomfortable. Deal received a note from Machell, saying he was a Gaucho and very comfortable & contented. In the afternoon a party of ladies and gentlemen came off to see the Engineers and vessel; they made a great noise, and I felt glad to get into my cabin, and keep closed doors, and actually went to sleep under the influence of their sweet music as one of them had a tongue, with which she made more noise than the Clapper of a bell. I was glad to hear them go away.

April 6th. Beautiful weather, tho' cold. Boat went as usual for Commdr who did not however come off. In the afternoon a message came on board saying the Admiral was coming to inspect ship, in all probablility for the last time. In the evening being very cold, I turned in early but they made, a horrid noise in the Gun Room, playing at whist.

April 7th 1857 Wedding Day At Buenos Ayres. At 9 Commander came off, and everything was got in readiness for the reception of the Admiral and Suite in his fast inspection. At a few minutes after 10 came off in the Galley and a very strict inspection of the decks, holds, bilges, engine room Ship's Stewards, Store room - after mustering

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the Ships Company and inspecting the Sick, went to General Quarters. Sent for to an American Ship, in consequence of a man having fallen from her maintopsail yard: he afterwards overhauled the Ships Books, Warrant Officer's accounts and had a look at my Sick Book, with which he appeared satisfied, perhaps from not knowing the Latin names. After having lunch below with the Commdr and Suite, he ordered the hands to be turned up, and addressed the Ship's Company saying he was very highly pleased with their efficiency in seamanship and gunnery: afterwards complimented Christians for the discipline under which the ship, and after speaking to each Officer he left for the shore, it of course being the last inspection on board here. In the evening Commdr and some of the officers went on shore. Turned in very early.

April 8th. A fine mild morning with an occasional shower of rian. A few cases of Diarrhoea occurring, but none of a serious type. In the afternoon had an invitation from the Admiral to dinner but having suffered for some time from a Chronic affection of the ancles. I was obliged to send an apology and was glad to get to bed.

April 9th Kept my bed all day after seeing the Sick in the morning, suffering severely from the pain in my legs.

Friday, April 10th Good Friday, Buenos Ayres