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deck. I can see 7 miles of ocean whichever way I look. You would
be surprised at the delightful feeling of security and safety one has in a
snug, tight craft like this, and yet thinking all the while, at the
nearest we are more than 1000 miles from land. When I am well
I wish you were all here to enjoy with me, it is so new and strange, and
pleasant. We saw two vessels in the horizon to-day, they were both
"homeward bound! "I forgot to say I saw two petrels yesterday. We are mak[ing]
about 10 knots an hour. The farms and benches are unscrewed, and
moved on one side. We have a band upon deck, and dances of
every sort, quadrilles etc. It makes it very lively and cheerful. I have
some very nice pleasant companions in my cabin. One Scotch clergyman,
a Mr. John McLeane, who is going by appointment of the
Bishop of Toronto to a living near London, county of Middlesex.
Another inmate of my cabin is a gentleman Captain Salvadore de Candia.
He was Captain of the first Maltese Ship that ever
went to China, for which government awarded him a
gold medal. He is going to an appointment by government to be
commander of the Welland docks, forts and canals. An important
office. He takes his wife and family with him. Also his
wife's two sisters. His wife is an Irish lady. They are exceedingly
nice pleasant & first class people. I like them better than any
on board. They are Roman Catholics. The other in my cabin
is an old Canadian Scotch Farmer. He has a farm about 7