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111

June 27th. Every one busy answering letters, as it was
said, the mail would leave again in the evening for the
Mount - Weather very cold but healthy, only four on my
list - Wrote to L, M. in Canada. E. Woodcock and
Eversfield.

June 28th Very cold, after Quarters exercised at target
shooting, which was done in the usual slummy way,
very few ever hitting the target, which certainly was at
a long distance 270 yds - Closed all my letters.
Raining all the time we were firing, and the men
of course being disgusted fired at random - We had the
usual evening performance in the Engine Room, and made
it Saturday night to all absent Friends.

Sunday June 29th Parana - It was 10 before we
went to muster, article of War-, and an order from
our Queen to express her thanks for the gallant behaviour
of our men during the War in the Crimea.

June 30th Very cold, with a strong Nly breeze: a shooting
party again went ashore. Commdr returned with 10 1/2 brace
of partridge - Mr Christie went ashore for good.

Thursday July 1st 1856 At Parana - Another
shooting party went ashore, so that we had always
plenty of partridge, sometimes pheasant, and duck
and pigeon to any amount - The same monotonous
yarn; cards in the evening in the Gun room and smoking
afterwards in the Engine Room, got to bed by 8.

July 2nd Mr Dale, Vice Consul came on board to
breakfast with me, bringing an invitation to a
ball, and a ride into the country next day on
a shooting expedition: as usual declined.