lay a tune, sing a
song, or tell a story.

Sunday, 23rd Aug.

Having, on the previous evening, arranged matters with the
landing-master as to the business of the day, the signal was rung for
all hands at half-past seven this morning. In the early state of the
spring-tides the artificers went to the rock before breakfast, but as
the tides fell later in the day, it became necessary to take this meal
before leaving the ship. At eight o'clock all hands were assembled on
the quarter-deck for prayers, a solemnity which was gone through in as
orderly a manner as circumstances would admit. When the weather
permitted, the flags of the ship were hung up as an awning or screen,
forming the quarter-deck into a distinct compartment; the pendant was
also hoisted at the mainmast, and a large ensign flag was displayed over
the stern; and lastly, the ship's companion, or top of the staircase,
was covered with the _flag proper_ of the Lighthouse Service, on which
the Bible was laid. A particular toll of the bell called all hands to
the quarter-deck, when the writer read a chapter of the Bible, and, the
whole ship's company being uncovered, he also read the impressive prayer
composed by the Reverend Dr. Brunton, one of the ministers of Edinburgh.

Upon concluding this service, which was attended with becoming reverence
and attention, all on board retired to their respective berths to
breakfast, and, at half-past nine, the bell again rung for the
artificers to take their stations in their respective boats. Some demur
having been evinced on board about the propriety of working on Sunday,
which had hitherto been touched upon as delicately as possible, all
hands being called aft, the writer, from the quarter-deck, stated
generally the nature of the service, expressing his hopes that every man
would feel himself called upon to consider the erection of a lighthouse
on the Bell Rock, in every point of view, as a work of necessity and
mercy. He knew that scruples had existed with some, and these had,
indeed, been fairly and candidly urged before leaving the shore; but it
was expected that, after having seen the critical nature of the rock,
and the necessity of the measure, every man would now be satisfied of
the propriety of embracing all opportunities of landing on the rock when
the state of the weather would permit. The writer further took them to
witness that it did not proceed from want of respect for the
appointments and established for