Travel Diaries and Journals

way to India to join their regiments. we have now entered the Bay of Biscay the sea does not run a bit higher than it has done since we left the Channel. I believe at this season of the year it is generally very quiet the water seemed very smooth but there is a great swell on which makes the ship roll about. I am writing this in my book lying on deck with my blue flannel suit on (which I find useful) I have got up some sofa pillows from below which make a very good couch most of the passengers have these folding chairs with them & they are certainly very useful on board ship. The only faces at all familiar to me here are 6 or 8 officers of the 34th that I used to see marching to the park. I have been trying to make out the course we shall steer for India in Sullivans geography. we do not go through the Bay of Biscay entirely rather across it & Strike out into the Atlantic then pass the Madeira & Canary islands down by the Coast of Africa & go round the

lamb stood before me thinks Ile try a bit of you. I did so & it is a wonder I did not vomit on the spot. however I daresay I'll get accustomed to it bye & bye. At 9.15 we saw a frigate about 5 miles distant the first vessel we have Seen since we left the Channel. She seems homeward bound. I wish we would hail her that I might send a letter home. oh, what would I give to see all your faces once more. every one seems happy here. they are all now accustomed to travel & to make the most of the Circumstances in which they are placed a great many have been in the Crimea. Although I must I say I cannot yet look upon things so philosophically, There is something grand & elevating on viewing the works of the Creator as we see them here. The great ocean rolling on its ceaseless waves the eye rests on nothing save the Wild waves dashing & rolling noisily until they seem to meet the sky in the horizon. The weather is still keeping very fine the sun shing brightly the breeze

at Sea

Friday July 22nd. 1859.

Thick & foggy. fish about in thousands. taking easily but all hooks broken Caught 5 after dinner yesterday Therm 68° 900 miles from England

Saturday July 23rd. 1859.

Thick & foggy drizzaling[?] rain regular Channel weather the Capt. says. A ship passed close bound southward this Mg. Therm 68°. Fish all left

Sunday July 24th. 1859.

Foggy this mg. but cleared off & left a fine clear day. got a good obs. first time for 4 days. 45° 4° N. a French Ship in sight bound same way as ourselves. 680 miles from the Lizard. a fine breeze tonight & fully expect to reach The Downs by next Sunday or before. weather cool & pleasant in the

on bd. ship "Ivanhoe"

sun all day with a cap first time Therm: 67°.

Monday July 25th. 1859

Thick & foggy. Very cold wind hauled round Closde hauled in the evg. did more than 3 degrees Long. by dead reckoning. Therm 63°.

Tuesday July 26th. 1859.

Fine clear day & warm wind from N. Easterly 430 miles off Start. got good obs. today. Therm: 65°.

Wednesday July 27th. 1859.

Fine day. Light fair breeze. 370 miles from Lizard. 170 miles from Soundings. 66 miles since yesterday Nearly calm all last night Getting a fishing line ready to day for makarel in the Channel expect to reach the Downs by Sunday 2 large Grampus alongside today Therm. 67°