COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 161 



" Negotiator, Sth 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 C.O. 



" The nags came on board very well, and things 

 have quite settled down now. We sail at seven in 

 the morning. We are now alongside the docks, and 

 Oldham's troop in the Mary Anne. 



" We embarked in such a pouring rain, which 

 was a great bore. 



" I got your present, which cost 2 53. 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 



