d the
crew in water.

Sunday, 17th June.

It was fortunate, in the present state of the weather, that the fiftieth
course was in a sheltered spot, within the reach of the tackle of the
winch-machine upon the bridge; a few stones were stowed upon the bridge
itself, and the remainder upon the building, which kept the artificers
at work. The stowing of the materials upon the rock was the department
of Alexander Brebner, mason, who spared no pains in attending to the
safety of the stones, and who, in the present state of the work, when
the stones were landed faster than could be built, generally worked till
the water rose to his middle. At one o'clock to-day the bell rung for
prayers, and all hands were collected into the upper barrack-room of the
beacon-house, when the usual service was performed.

The wind blew very hard in the course of last night from N.E., and
to-day the sea ran so high that no boat could approach the rock. During
the dinner-hour, when the writer was going to the top of the building as
usual, but just as he had entered the door and was about to ascend the
ladder, a great noise was heard overhead, and in an instant he was
soused in water from a sea which had most unexpectedly come over the
walls, though now about fifty-eight feet in height. On making his
retreat he found himself completely whitened by the lime, which had
mixed with the water while dashing down through the different floors;
and, as nearly as he could guess, a quantity equal to about a hogshead
had come over the walls, and now streamed out at the door. After having
shifted himself, he again sat down in his cabin, the sea continuing to
run so high that the builders did not resume their operations on the
walls this afternoon. The incident just noticed did not create more
surprise in the mind of the writer than the sublime appearance of the
waves as they rolled majestically over the rock. This scene he greatly
enjoyed while sitting at his cabin window; each wave approached the
beacon like a vast scroll unfolding; and in passing discharged a
quantity of air, which he not only distinctly felt, but was even
sufficient to lift the leaves of a book which lay before him. These
waves might be ten or twelve feet in height, and about 250 feet in
length, their smaller end being towards the north, where the water was
deep, and they were opened or cut through by the interposition of the
building and beacon. The gradual manner in which the sea, upon