less for the sake of the few incidents which they record, than for
the glimpses which they give into the mind and heart of the writer:-

[Sidenote: Man overboard!]

_H.M.S. 'Banshee.'--Marseilles.--January 31st._--Only think of my
writing again from Marseilles! I was breakfasting yesterday, when
there was a cry of 'A man overboard!' We went on deck. After a while,
the man--who had enormous water-boots on, but who was fortunately a
good swimmer--appeared on the surface, caught hold of a life-preserver
which had been thrown out to him, was picked up by a boat, and hoisted
on board. After a bumper of brandy, he seemed none the worse. But in
the meantime we had sprung our _rudder-head_ (the same sort of
accident as befell the 'Great Eastern'). It must have been bad, or it
could not have gone as it did. The captain said to me: 'We may go on
for a few hours, and see what we can do, and then return if
necessary.' I did not see the fun of this plan, and suggested that we
had better at once find out what was the matter. We returned to port,
and, after a long deliberation, a scheme of patching was resolved
upon.... It is most vexatious to be doing nothing, when my moments
have been of late so precious and so hurried.

* * * *

_'Ferooz.'--Gulf of Suez.--February 9th._--When I got on board this
morning my heart smote me a little for having discouraged your coming
out with me, for nothing can be more comfortable than this ship has
been made, with a view to the accommodation of poor Lady Canning and
you. _Eight P.M._--It is very lonely to be spending this Sunday
evening by myself, after the many happy ones I have enjoyed with you
and the children during the past three months; and yet I would not
forego the recollection of those happy days though it deepens the
gloom of the present. Surely, whatever may happen to us all, it is
something gained to have this retrospect in store.

[Sidenote: Old MSS.]

_February 12th._--Going on as smoothly as ever.... I have been reading
over some old manuscript books, written from twenty to twenty-five
years ago, and containing a record of my thoughts and doings at that
remote time. It is very interesting and useful to look back. I was
working very hard during those years, searching after truth and right,
with no positive occupation but that of