COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON i6i 



" Negociator, 8th May, 12 p.m., 1854. 



" Dear Jack, — 



" I was ordered suddenly off, and embarked 

 to-day, only knowing it on Saturday night. 



" I did not write to you, as being no post on 

 Sunday it would have been no use. I go in the 

 Negociator (No. 59) — a capital ship. I have a capi- 

 tal cabin as CO. 



" The nags came on board very well, and things 

 have quite settled down now. We sail at seven in 

 the morninor. We are now along-side the docks, and 

 Oldham's troop in the Ma7y Anne. 



" We embarked in such a pouring rain, which 

 was a great bore. 



" I got your present, which cost ^2 5s. — a very 

 good paint-box. 



" The dockyard police have just come to say we 

 must put out the lights, so good-bye, my dear Jack, 

 and with kindest regards to Mrs. Thomson, 



" Yours ever sincerely, 



" SoAME G. Jenyns. 



" Write me a line directed ' Malta,' as we touch 

 there. Good-bye." 



"Ship Calliope, yd June, 1854. 



" My Dear Jack, — 



" I think you will be glad to hear how we 

 have got on up to this time, so, as we expect to be 

 in Malta by about twelve o'clock, I write these few 

 lines to tell you of our voyage up to this time. We 

 have on the whole had a very pleasant one, and I 



VOL. I. II 



