lked on the deck.

After tea went on deck, a beautiful starlight night, a good deal of
singing. Jackson had ascended the rigging, was followed by one of the
seamen who tied his legs. The usual penalty followed--a bottle of rum;
he gave them two and the evening passed merrily.

FRIDAY, MAY 16TH.

Passed a very good night, the sea placid, but little wind and that
adverse. The wind rising but in no better direction. Played another game
with Mr. Seaton, he giving me a Knight, still unsuccessful. Had a slight
headache, the atmosphere feeling very damp. Saw one of Mother Carey's
chickens or petrel of the ocean; it resembles a swallow and followed us
some distance picking up some crumbs of bread thrown to it by the
Captain.

The Mate says 28 days the shortest passage he ever made to America. At
dinner a warm discussion on the Duke of Newcastle doing "what he liked
with his own"; also the advantage of colonies, also the large military
and naval expenses. After dinner we fell in with a ship from Vera Cruz
to Bordeaux. The wind fair for the first time since we sailed. This
evening played another game with the Captain and lost. Went on deck and
heard two songs.

SATURDAY, MAY 17TH.

Had a good night. Dreamed that I had returned from Liverpool and could
not get back in time for sailing; also that I had had three suits of
clothes sent in. Was sorry to learn that the wind had died away and that
we had only made about 1-1/2 knots per hour. Two vessels seen at a great
distance; about two they came within a mile of us; others were also
observed. Went down and wrote a few lines; the vessel did not come near
enough for us to speak to them. Another ship passed in the afternoon but
more distant. At dinner Mr. Seaton said he had known Madeira wine sell
for more than eleven dollars a bushel. Very good pancakes indeed. In the
evening Mr. Seaton, talking of horses said he himself had two horses
which he drove eleven miles an hour for four successive hours; also
spoke of the great mercantile house of Parish & Co., Hamburgh and New
York. One of the steerage passengers informs me that there are 102 in
the fore steerage and 39 in the middle steerage.

SUNDAY, MAY 18TH.

Had a pleasant night and rose before seven, and took out my better
clothes to remind me more effectually of Sunday. Found the wind had
continued moderately favourable. A long discussion at breakfast
respecting smoking. Mr. Bassnett said he had smoked thirty cigars fo