these
occasions, is observed to become calm or to subside, is a very
remarkable feature of this phenomenon. For example, when a gale is
succeeded by a calm, every third or fourth wave forms one of these great
seas, which occur in spaces of from three to five minutes, as noted by
the writer's watch; but in the course of the next tide they become less
frequent, and take off so as to occur only in ten or fifteen minutes;
and, singular enough, at the third tide after such gales, the writer has
remarked that only one or two of these great waves appear in the course
of the whole tide.

Tuesday, 19th June.

The 19th was a very unpleasant and disagreeable day, both for the seamen
and artificers, as it rained throughout with little intermission from
four a.m. till eleven p.m., accompanied with thunder and lightning,
during which period the work nevertheless continued unremittingly and
the builders laid the fifty-first and fifty-second courses. This state
of weather was no less severe upon the mortar-makers, who required to
temper or prepare the mortar of a thicker or thinner consistency, in
some measure, according to the state of the weather. From the elevated
position of the building, the mortar gallery on the beacon was now much
lower, and the lime-buckets were made to traverse upon a rope distended
between it and the building. On occasions like the present, however,
there was often a difference of opinion between the builders and the
mortar-makers. John Watt, who had the principal charge of the mortar,
was a most active worker, but, being somewhat of an irascible temper,
the builders occasionally amused themselves at his expense: for while he
was eagerly at work with his large iron-shod pestle in the mortar-tub,
they often sent down contradictory orders, some crying, "Make it a
little stiffer, or thicker, John," while others called out to make it
"thinner," to which he generally returned very speedy and sharp replies,
so that these conversations at times were rather amusing.

During wet weather the situation of the artificers on the top of the
building was extremely disagreeable; for although their work did not
require great exertion, yet, as each man had his particular part to
perform, either in working the crane or in laying the stones, it
required the closest application and attention, not only on the part of
Mr. Peter Logan, the foreman, who was constantly on the walls, but also
of the chief workmen. Robert Selkirk,