ENPages
p. 56
poop awnings have been taken down & during the middle of the day we cannot get on deck as the sun being vertical then we get no shade from the spanker which is now set. We have gone upwards of a hundred miles since yesterday. the ship is being painted white all over the inside of the Bulwarks & [quarter scored through] & poop can scarcely move out without getting smeared over. wearing my tweed suit even in this hot weather. Yesterday Lt Dadson Capt & I had an inspection of flour for troops pronounced one & 3/4 Casks bad & drew up a report to that affect signed by 3 of us Lt Robinson R.A. being confined to bed did not become a number. there is little change of scene every day. Here is my Cabin nearly as large as I had in the "Candia" but occupied by myself
p. 57
alone here not having procured a bed before I came on board. I have got a matress out of one of the soldiers swung cots upon which I sleep as snug as possible. the lid of my shaving box does for a looking glass my old boxes one placed [written above] below the bunk (the smallest one) the other the lge one so carefully packed by my sisters before I left stands by the side of my bunk. A Chinese fan a solar topi & 2 straw hats decorate the wall of my cabin & & brass basin soap dish & tooth & nail brush brought from Calcutta constit ute my Cabin furniture. I wake up at 6 or rather I am wakened up by my servant bringing coffee then get my book & read an hour before I get up (an old fashion at home) which I have not yet lost the Capt. then comes into my cabin
p. 58
between 7 & 8 oclock & he & I have a discussion or chat on some subject or another Now & then I get on deck & enjoy a bucket or two of saltwater over me the. General gets on deck about 7 in the Mg. Lt. Robinson used to get on deck to have a bucket of saltwater until he was knocked down by fever. Lt. Dadson being weak & delicate does nothing until he gets his breakfast. After Breakfast I smoke a cheroot & then go down to visit my patients. this occupies 2 hours. I then have tiffin & tody I have begun to post up my medicine Journal which I wrote at from 1/2 past 12 till 3. Our dinner party usually consists of the same number unless some one is sick or has had a disinclination for dinner. The
p. 59
Capt'ns voice invariably first heard well 'General' what are you going to have. At six we have tea or coffee & 8 Grog if you wish it. On Sunday the troops are mustered at 1/2 past 10 & one of the officers reads the Church of England service. I turn into bed at 9 oclock generaly & sleep sound till 6 next morning. the weather has been beautiful since we left. on two nights only had we some squalls. We are now 2 or 3 degrees south of the line (During my cabin time I read the Wandering Jew.)
Thursday March 4 1858. Fine strong breeze today making us spank along in good style + keeps us very cool. A ship in sight at 12 o clock today. by the time I had my visit over below she was just visible on the horizon astern.
p. 60
last night had a debate with the Capt. on the motion of the earth round the Sun. The Capt. accounting for the Seasons by the elevation & depression of the poles. intend commencing a long letter home today to post at the Cape if there is a chance of it reaching home sooner than from India. [Monday scored through] Friday March 5th. 1858 [underscored] Robinson has had a relapse & is getting worse. the weather is very squally & cloudy. they blow very violently for a few minutes & then the rain comes down in torrents. [Thursday scored through] [Friday scored through] March 6th. 1858 Saturday{underscored] It has continued to blow all night squalls coming on every 10 minutes. The fore & main top laid sheets have both been torn by the violence of the wind. Poor Robinson is still getting worse medicine has no effect upon him he is quite delirious now & has fallen comatose died at 1/2 past 6