SECOND RESIDENCE AT CAPE 7 OWN 79 



. page of which was some little sketch, with something written 

 underneath in very good taste. For instance, there was a sketch 

 of the Land's End, then of Madeira, Teneriffe, &c, likewise a 

 beautiful little drawing of Tristan itself, as well as sketches of 

 almost every ship he had spoken, waterspouts, albatross hunts, &c, 

 in fact, of everything remarkable that occurred. It must be 

 delightful to himself to look back on all these log-books, and to 

 recall the scenes in their original vividness. How much better 

 than many an album. He has now eleven such volumes, and 

 is working at the twelfth. He is a very amiable and good man. 

 I particularly like the terms he is on with his officers, and the 

 way he treats his midshipmen, of which there are five or six 

 on board. Tou know in general they are treated scarcely 

 different from common sailors ; but not so in the Wellington. 

 They are regularly invited in turn to dine in the cuddy, and the 

 Captain always makes it a point to take wine with them, and to 

 help them to such delicacies as they do not meet every day. 

 These little attentions show what the man is made of. 



The two cases from Loddiges' in superb vigour — fresh green 

 leaves and new shoots most luxuriant. So much for Ward's 

 method. 



Ah, that I were less idle — that " my mind to me a kingdom 

 were." How little worth are one's thoughts without settled 

 occupation ! One cannot muse at all times ; but I do look for- 

 ward very seriously to the future, and (as yet) think I have 

 made a right decision. I do not return with my former buoy- 

 ancy, it is true ; I feel sobered, and in sobriety have made the 

 election. How it will end depends on higher counsels than 

 mine, and thus I am disposed to leave it. I intend to do my 

 best. There are things beyond our control. 



To Mrs. L. 



Ship Wellington, August 20th. 

 My feelings on this my second voyage are very different 

 indeed from the joyous excitement that accompanied my first, 

 yet I am not cast down. The inducements to persevere in the 

 line of life I have chosen, are, I trust, sufficient to make me go 

 to work with full heart, not to flinch from minor distresses ; but 

 whether this spirit of endurance be as strong when 8000, as 



