e curious phenomenon yesterday of the coloured
water, is explained by some of the seamen supposing it to be the spawn
of a whale.

Much breakage of glasses at dinner; my decanter tossed off the table and
broken; also a tumbler and champagne glass. One gull seen yesterday and
two stormy petrels follow us a long way. A very dull day with all of us,
partly occasioned by the unfavourable wind and coldness. Had some
affecting conversation with Mr. G. respecting my late dear father. A
fine evening, the wind changed and almost became a calm. The ship
gradually turned round to get on another tack.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21ST.

Rested pretty well, but found we had made little way. A good deal of
conversation at breakfast respecting various kinds of fruit. America it
seems is well supplied with tropical fruit. Finished Lander's "Travels
in Africa"; also read before Fergusson's "Canadian Tour." The breeze
refreshing though not altogether favourable, much better than a calm.
Mr. Bassnett proposed as a wager, that he would throw doublets ones to
sixes in succession in ten minutes, which he accomplished in seven; he
also surprised us by taking up the dice by means only of the boxes. The
wind continued favourable all day. Played another game with Mr. B. and
lost it. Did not see a ship or fish throughout the day. Have great
difficulty in preventing myself from thinking of meeting my late dear
father on my return.

THURSDAY, MAY 22ND.

Did not sleep so well though tolerably comfortable. Found the wind
slight but for the first time quite fair in a due east, all the sails
squared and also the stunsail out. Saw a fish. The wind about one,
changed more south. A long sit and chat upon the helm house with Mr.
Grindrod. A very good breeze all day. Remarkable that we saw not a
vessel all day excepting before breakfast and at a great distance.
Frequently do I find some trouble in checking the expectation of meeting
again my dear father.

FRIDAY, MAY 23RD.

Got up before six having not been able to sleep since 2 o'clock, such
noises, pitching and rockings as surely never were heard before. Found
the sea greatly agitated and much foam. I asked one of the seamen if he
did not call this a stiff gale; he said it was a fresh breeze. The
Captain admitted that it blew hard; he was up all night. Cold all day
and the wind quite contrary. Six or seven stormy petrels seen at once,
and now and then a gull. Towards evening we discerned a brig which we