m was for the present used as the joiners' workshop, and the
strangers' room, immediately under the light-room, was occupied by the
artificers, the beds being ranged in tiers, as was done in the barrack
of the beacon. The lightroom, though unprovided with its machinery,
being now covered over with the cupola, glazed and painted, had a very
complete and cleanly appearance. The balcony was only as yet fitted with
a temporary rail, consisting of a few iron stanchions, connected with
ropes; and in this state it was necessary to leave it during the winter.

Having gone over the whole of the low-water works on the rock, the
beacon, and lighthouse, and being satisfied that only the most untoward
accident in the landing of the machinery could prevent the exhibition of
the light in the course of the winter, Mr. John Reid, formerly of the
floating light, was now put in charge of the lighthouse as principal
keeper; Mr. James Slight had charge of the operations of the
artificers, while Mr. James Dove and the smiths, having finished the
frame of the light-room, left the rock for the present. With these
arrangements the writer bade adieu to the works for the season. At
eleven a.m. the tide was far advanced; and there being now little or no
shelter for the boats at the rock, they had to be pulled through the
breach of sea, which came on board in great quantities, and it was with
extreme difficulty that they could be kept in the proper direction of
the landing-creek. On this occasion he may be permitted to look back
with gratitude on the many escapes made in the course of this arduous
undertaking, now brought so near to a successful conclusion.

Monday, 5th Nov.

On Monday, the 5th, the yacht again visited the rock, when Mr. Slight
and the artificers returned with her to the workyard, where a number of
things were still to prepare connected with the temporary fitting up of
the accommodation for the lightkeepers. Mr. John Reid and Peter Fortune
were now the only inmates of the house. This was the smallest number of
persons hitherto left in the lighthouse. As four lightkeepers were to be
the complement, it was intended that three should always be at the rock.
Its present inmates, however, could hardly have been better selected for
such a situation; Mr. Reid being a person possessed of the strictest
notions of duty and habits of regularity from long service on board of a
man-of-war, while Mr. Fortune had one of the most happy and conte