135 
deck, wMcli is mucli cooler and less oppressive — tlie 
weather still keeping very liot. 
December \%th. The ship's head is now turned more to the 
north, and we may soon expect some cooler temperature. 
Kemp better again but very weak. Passed Cape Palmas 
yesterday, well in sight of the land. The sea a most 
perfect calm, and the weather daily getting more pleasant. 
At last Christmas-day came, the first I had ever spent at 
sea; and it seemed unnatural with its hot sun and blue 
sky, instead of the customary frost and snow. We had 
an extra good dinner, the company standing champagne 
ad libitum. The next day we anchored off Madeira, but 
were immediately put into quarantine by the Portuguese 
ofiicials, as we had been round to Cape Coast Castle, 
though we had no infectious cases on board. It was most 
tantalizing, as we had so much wanted to go ashore and 
take a drive round this beautiful island. A few more 
passengers came on board at this place for Southampton; 
after taking in some coal we sailed away, not to stop again 
before reaching England. On the 29th we passed and 
sighted Teneriffe. There must have been a heavy gale 
away in the Atlantic, as we now came into a heavy sea, 
the ship for two days rolling about in the most aggra- 
vating way, and shooting one first to one side, and then 
the other, otherwise the weather calm and fine. We are 
now getting into much colder regions, and rapidly passing 
through the Bay of Biscay are beginning to speculate 
when we shall reach home. The 30th and 31st crept 
slowly on; and on the morning of January 1st, 1874, we 
awoke to find ourselves in the Southampton water, and we 
slowly steamed into the dock, just as the bell was ringing 
for breakfast, a capital time to arrive, as it enabled every- 
one to get away home that same day. 
We left the heavy luggage to the care of the shipping 
