Slight, Mr. Robert Selkirk, Mr. James Glen, and Mr. John
Gibson, plumber, with considerable difficulty, from the boisterous state
of the weather, got the gilded ball screwed on, measuring two feet in
diameter, and forming the principal ventilator at the upper extremity of
the cupola of the lightroom. At Mr. Hamilton's desire, a salute of seven
guns was fired on this occasion, and, all hands being called to the
quarter-deck, "Stability to the Bell Rock Lighthouse" was not forgotten.

Tuesday, 30th Oct.

On reaching the rock it was found that a very heavy sea still ran upon
it; but the writer having been disappointed on two former occasions,
and, as the erection of the house might now be considered complete,
there being nothing wanted externally, excepting some of the
storm-shutters for the defence of the windows, he was the more anxious
at this time to inspect it. Two well-manned boats were therefore ordered
to be in attendance; and, after some difficulty, the wind being at
N.N.E., they got safely into the western creek, though not without
encountering plentiful sprays. It would have been impossible to have
attempted a landing to-day, under any other circumstances than with
boats perfectly adapted to the purpose, and with seamen who knew every
ledge of the rock, and even the length of the sea-weeds at each
particular spot, so as to dip their oars into the water accordingly, and
thereby prevent them from getting entangled. But what was of no less
consequence to the safety of the party, Captain Wilson, who always
steered the boat, had a perfect knowledge of the set of the different
waves, while the crew never shifted their eyes from observing his
motions, and the strictest silence was preserved by every individual
except himself.

On entering the house, the writer had the pleasure to find it in a
somewhat habitable condition, the lower apartments being closed in with
temporary windows, and fitted with proper storm-shutters. The lowest
apartment at the head of the staircase was occupied with water, fuel,
and provisions, put up in a temporary way until the house could be
furnished with proper utensils. The second, or light-room store, was at
present much encumbered with various tools and apparatus for the use of
the workmen. The kitchen immediately over this had, as yet, been
supplied only with a common ship's caboose and plate-iron funnel, while
the necessary cooking utensils had been taken from the beacon. The
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