each of the three occasions
when I did fall into the water, I had not the life-belt on. The
Life-Boat Institution had presented to me one of their life-jackets--an
invaluable companion if a long immersion in the water is to be undergone.
But for convenience in working the ropes and sails I was content to use
the less bulky life-belt. It is conveniently arranged, and you soon
forget it as an encumbrance. Indeed on one occasion I walked up to a
house without recollecting that my life-belt was upon me when ashore!

{60} The account of these paddlings has been published in 'A Thousand
Miles in the Rob Roy Canoe,' 10th edition, and in 'The Rob Roy in the
Baltic,' 6th edition, both works being profusely illustrated (Low,
Marston and Co., Crown Buildings, Fleet Street).

{77} "Fecamp Harbour is difficult to enter at all times, and dangerous
to attempt when it blows hard from the westward on account of the heavy
sea at the entrance; for should a vessel at that time miss the harbour
and ground upon the rocks off Fagnet Point, she would be totally lost."

{78} A mysterious shell-fish delicacy.

{85} Thick paper round my parcels of books within happily kept them dry.

{98} Very few authors can write books suitable for men with weary bodies
and sleepy minds. It is remarkable to see how much attention these men
will pay to the words of the Bible and the 'Pilgrim's Progress.' No
doubt such readers often read but the surface-sense of both these books;
but then even that sense is good, and the deeper meaning is better, while
the language of both is superb.

{102} If men's vices are matched by dogs' failings, several of our best
virtues are at least equalled by those in canine characters; especially
courage, fidelity, patience, and forgiveness. It is hard to believe
(even if indeed we are at all warranted in believing) that these noble
animals are done with existence when they die. It is harder still to see
a man cruel to a dog, without feeling pretty sure that the man is not the
better of the two. The dog life to be seen at the "Home for lost dogs"
is a study for any thoughtful man.

Six empty collars hang in my own room. Each of them belonged to
successive dogs called 'Rob,' who cruised with me until they were lost or
killed.

{110} The soldiers liked these so much that it was the fashion to place
the "Emperor's" picture over each man's bed. On one occasion His Majesty
happened to notice this when visiting a g