ON BOARD THE "AURORA" 155 



sionally a grain of rice or barley, were often swimming 

 in clear water— half-cooked. However, I never com- 

 plained about the miserable grub, and would, if it had 

 been necessary, have taken it without grumbling all the 

 way to San Francisco, as I have neither been a great 

 eater, nor a Lucullus, at any time. Quantity and quality 

 never worry me, as, thanks to my early training, my taste 

 has never been spoiled. With all that, however, I could 

 not help noticing and acknowledging the great difference 

 in treatment there and here. Indeed, I do not believe 

 that many ocean travellers can boast of such a spread as 

 we have on board the "Aurora." Our dinner consists of 

 potatoes and good meat in abundance : and coffee and tea 

 are likewise of very good quality. Instead of bad, rancid 

 butter for cooking purposes, we receive as much good 

 lard as we care to use. During the fore-noon, at about 

 ten o'clock, and again at half-past two in the afternoon, 

 each of us receives a drink of cognac to stimulate the ap- 

 petite for the regular meals. Another most agreeable 

 feature is the daily distribution of large loaves of wheat 

 bread about tea-time, the product of our good cook's in- 

 dustry. As the flour has given out, we receive now po- 

 tatoes instead, all of which are additional items which the 

 Captain is by no means obliged by the prescribed bill of 

 fare to furnish, and, though seemingly secondary, they 

 are greatly appreciated on the open sea. Aside from 

 this, we may drink as much fresh water as we have a mind 

 to. As I told you in my last letter, there is also as marked 

 a difference in our sleeping accommodations as in the 

 food. If my present frame of mind would harmonize bet- 

 ter with the better surroundings and accommodations, I 

 should surely be spoiled; but, as it is, all these circum- 

 stances, which in the end are only pleasing to the body, 

 have little effect upon my mind in general. I mention 

 these external improvements only to give yon pleasure, 

 knowing full well how you will regard the information 

 that I am well cared for. 



As expected, we left Valparaiso on Sunday, the six- 

 teenth of November, a. p, At about five o'clock in the 



