9 
passengers, about forty-two in number, wbo, on the wbole, 
were fortunately a very decent lot, a good sprinkling 
returning to tbeir work at tlie diamond fields. I was glad 
to find an old Oxford acquaintance on board, F. Gates, 
who, with, bis brother and a Cambridge man, Buckley, 
were bound on the same errand as myself, and intended 
also to make Pieter-Maritzburg their starting point. 
There were also two or three ladies on board, which made 
it pleasant for E. 
March 9th. One day much like another on board ship, 
and not much to break the monotony of our existence. 
March llth. Passed Madeira, having a good view of 
the back of the island. I was much surprised to find we 
did not stop, as we had been entrusted with a small box 
of good things from Fortnum & Mason's to take out for 
the benefit of a lady staying there, but we had to carry it 
on, and ultimately, when the weather got warmer, had to 
pitch most of the contents overboard. The weather 
growing very mild and pleasant. Porpoises jumping 
about, flying fish, whales, &c., formed an occasional 
excitement, and were all new to us. 
March 12th. Passed and sighted islands of Teneriffe and 
Palma, and others of the Canary group. A long stoppage 
in the middle of the day, something having gone wrong 
with the engines. Enjoying the weather which was truly 
delicious after the English winter, left behind only about 
four or five days ago. Saw swarms of the little Portuguese 
men-of-war floating about. Another day or two, and we 
find it getting very hot as we enter the tropics. I was 
much disappointed with the first view of the Southern 
Cross, which now became visible to us, as, after all I had 
heard about it, I expected something finer. 
March I5th. Sunday again; and service in the saloon 
after muster — a more decorous performance than last time. 
We stopped and communicated with a small steamer, the 
