354 MEMOIR OF JOHN WILSON. 



you get covered with dust, and sand, and paint by day and night, 

 to say nothing of tar and twine ; in short, every thing but feathers. 

 The eating is excellent, and the drinking not bad, though some- 

 times rather too much of it. 



" I have, since writing the above, seen Sir F. Collier, who informs 

 me we start to-morrow forenoon (September 1st) for the coast of 

 Ireland. I shall go; and if the squadron does not return soon to 

 Portsmouth, I shall sail from Cork to some northern port, and so 

 home. I will write to you by the first opportunity, and I believe 

 one will occur in a week. Love to the girls. I am happy to hear 

 that Molly is getting on with her singing, and she may depend on 

 my being pleased with her chanson. Meg is, no doubt, now a Son- 

 tag; perhaps Umbs may also prove a songstress. The boys by 

 this time have, I suppose, been a while at Elleray. Narcotic is a 

 good word for the Opium-Eater, but I read it hare-skin. I have 

 just heard that another letter is lying for me on shore. I hope it 

 is from some of you ; but I cannot get it, I fear, till the morning, 

 and I am this hour again on board the ' Vernon,' and it is blowing 

 so hard that no boats are going on shore. 



" I therefore conclude with warmest and sincerest affection for 



thyself and all our children. Give my kindest remembrances to 



my sister Jane, who, I devoutly trust, will continue to improve in 



health, and, ere long, be well. You are now but a family of four 



females, so be all good boys, and believe that I will be happy to be 



with you again, when I hope you will be happy to see again the old 



man. Once more, with love to you and the three Graces, I am, my 



dearest Jane, ever yours most affectionately, 



" John Wilson. 



"'Vernon,' off Plymouth, August 31s£." 



" Land's End, Tuesday Evening, 

 September Ath. 



" About eight o'clock morning we were off the Scilly Isles, and 

 observed a steamer. It contained the Admiralty and other 

 grandees. Sir C. Paget, Sir F. Maitland, and Admiral Dundas, 

 came on board at nine, and at ten signal was made for all ships to 

 close upon the ' Vernon.' The wind was light but steady, and the 

 day beautiful. We sailed till five o'clock (seven hours) in charming 

 style, but it would take a volume to narrate all our evolutions. 

 For the greater part of the time the ' Waterwitch' kept first, and 



