DEPARTURE FROM SOUTHAMPTON. 15 



at 11 A.M.), when, in a thick fog off the Stack Light- 

 house, we unfortunately ran ashore. All attempts to 

 get the ship off proving of no avail, the boats were 

 lowered, and I found myself presently pulling an oar 

 in a boat with a great number of ladies, and one old 

 gentleman. It was a cold night, and blowing rather 

 freshly. After five hours we arrived safely, and be- 

 fore any of the other boats, at the pier, and found the 

 train ivaiting for the mails. The boat with the mail- 

 bags arrived next, and without waiting for passengers 

 or luggage off we went, wet to the skin, and not a stitch 

 to change. I arrived in London at 2 p.m. instead of 

 7 A.M. I was happy to hear afterwards that the 

 Leinster had been got off without sustaining much 

 damage. 



On the 9th June the mail steamer Celt^ Comman- 

 der Baynton, left Southampton Docks with but few 

 passengers, amongst whom were the Livingstone 

 Search Expedition, with all their gear, which the com- 

 pany very liberally sent free of expense. At Ply- 

 mouth we picked up several passengers, and I was 

 enabled to get up a subscription, and purchase a piano 

 for the voyage. This was a great source of pleasure, 

 as there were several ladies who played very well. 

 The instrument was sold by auction at a very small 

 loss at the termination of the voyage. 



Shortly after we left Plymouth I suggested that we 

 should have " a paper " on board. This was got up 

 at once, and ultimately proved a success. It was 

 printed at Cape Town by the desire of the passengers, 

 and bore the name of The Celt Gazette. 



We touched at St. Helena for coals after a beauti- 



