e surface of the rock, many severe tumbles had taken place.
In the meantime the writer took the necessary levels, and having
carefully examined the site of the building and considered all its
parts, it still appeared to be necessary to excavate to the average
depth of fourteen inches over the whole area of the foundation.

Saturday, 28th May.

The wind still continued from the eastward with a heavy swell; and
to-day it was accompanied with foggy weather and occasional showers of
rain. Notwithstanding this, such was the confidence which the erection
of the beacon had inspired that the boats landed the artificers on the
rock under very unpromising circumstances, at half-past eight, and they
continued at work till half-past eleven, being a period of three hours,
which was considered a great tide's work in the present low state of the
foundation. Three of the masons on board were so afflicted with
sea-sickness that they had not been able to take any food for almost
three days, and they were literally assisted into the boats this morning
by their companions. It was, however, not a little surprising to see how
speedily these men revived upon landing on the rock and eating a little
dulse. Two of them afterwards assisted the sailors in collecting the
chips of stone and carrying them out of the way of the pickmen; but the
third complained of a pain in his head, and was still unable to do
anything. Instead of returning to the tender with the boats, these three
men remained on the beacon all day, and had their victuals sent to them
along with the smiths'. From Mr. Dove, the foreman smith, they had much
sympathy, for he preferred remaining on the beacon at all hazards, to be
himself relieved from the malady of sea-sickness. The wind continuing
high, with a heavy sea, and the tide falling late, it was not judged
proper to land the artificers this evening, but in the twilight the
boats were sent to fetch the people on board who had been left on the
rock.

Sunday, 29th May.

The wind was from the S.W. to-day, and the signal-bell rung, as usual,
about an hour before the period for landing on the rock. The writer was
rather surprised, however, to hear the landing-master repeatedly call,
"All hands for the rock!" and, coming on deck, he was disappointed to
find the seamen only in the boats. Upon inquiry, it appeared that some
misunderstanding had taken place about the wages of the artificers for
Sundays. They had preferred wages