t assisted by the current make about two
knots per hour. About ten an improved N.E. wind which continued most of
the day. Cough nearly gone, sickness also, breakfasted pretty well and
dined heartily. I and my two clerical friends ordered two bottles of
champagne. About two observed a vessel ahead nearing us. Came up soon
after five, proved the _A----_ from Havannah bound to St. Petersburgh
and had been out 42 days; asked us whence we came and whither bound,
also the longitude. Then each parted bidding the other a good voyage.
The first really happy day I spent at sea. All the crew appeared to be
recovered excepting a Welshman and his wife who could not be prevailed
on to leave their hammocks; could not speak a word of English. Found the
steerage passengers very respectable poor people from Lancashire,
Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire, Westmoreland and Yorkshire, some
with a pretty good property which they found regularly diminishing. A
theological debate with Mr. Hamilton. Read part of Lander's[3] "Travels
in Africa."

THURSDAY, MAY 8TH.

Slept well, rose at seven, dressed and shaved without difficulty, but I
forgot to rinse out my mouth with water according to my invariable
practise. Very cold with stiff breeze, going about 8 knots per hour. At
dinner a warm discussion about the state of Ireland. I contended that
agitation could only prevail where there was distress. See the state of
America; what could D. O'Connell do there? About 5 we had what is called
a squall of wind. I went on deck and found the vessel on one side, and
scudding steadily through the foaming deep. Gulls still accompanying the
ship as if expecting a wreck. So cold, 51 deg., that I remained a good deal
below, read nearly 200 pages in Fergusson's[4] "Tour in Canada." The
_Britannia_ 125 feet long.

Wines, etc., on board furnished by the steward at the following prices:

Madeira wine per bottle $1.50
Sherry " " 1.50
Port " " 1.25
Claret per bottle 1.25
Champagne per bottle 2
Hock or Moselle per bottle 1.50
Brandy, Gin, Rum, or Whisky } per bottle 1
Punch, Cherry Brandy or Rum Cordial }
Porter per bottle 0.37-1/2
Cider " .25
Soda