Tuesday Oct 23 - On gaining the deck this morning was delighted to find a fair wind.

It soon blew
stiff, & we scudded before it under double-reefed topsails, & mainsail hauled up. Running about 14
knots all day. Every one in high spirits. Captain told a rum story about a short skipper and a long
mate in a little brig, & throwing overboard the barrels of beef & turpentine & c.

Wednesday Oct 24 - Fair wind still holds on; at 12 M. supposed to be halfway over. Saw several
land birds — very tame, lighted on deck — caught one.

Thursday Oct 25 - A fair wind — good deal of rain — About noon saw a ship on the other tack.
She showed her colors & proved a Yankee. The first vessel that we had seen so near. She excited
much interest. By evening blew a very stiff breeze, & we dashed on in magnificent style. Fine
moonlight night, & we rushed on thro’ snow-banks of foam. McCurdy invited Adler the Doctor & I
into his room & ordered champagne. Went on deck again, & remained till near midnight. The scene
was indescribable. I never saw such sailing before.

Friday Oct 26 - Fair wind still. Towards noon came on calm, with a gawky sea. The ship rolled
violently, & many comical scenes ensued among the passengers. Breezed up again in the afternoon,
& we went on finely. For a few days passed, Adler & I have had some “sober second thoughts’’
about our grand Oriental & Spanish tour with Taylor. But tonight, the sight of “Bradshaw’s Railway
& Steamer Guide” showing the marvellous ease with which the most distant voyages may now be
accomplished has revived — at least in my mind, — all my original enthusiasm. Talked the whole
thing over again with Taylor. Shall not be able to decide till we get to London.

Saturday Oct 27 - Steered our course on a wind. I played Shuffle board for the first time. Ran about
aloft a good deal. McCurdy invited Adler Taylor & I to partake of some mulled wine with him,
which we did, in my room. Got — all of us — riding on the German horse again — Taylor has not
been in Germany in vain. After another curious discussion between the Swede & the Frenchman
about Lamartine & Corinne, we sat down to whist, & separated at about 3 in the morning.

Sunday Oct 28 - Came on a strong breeze & lasted all day. Ship going about 12 miles an hour —
begin to talk of port. Decks very wet, & hard work to take exercise (“Where dat old man”?) Read a
little, dozed a little & to bed early.

Monday Oct 29 - Wet & foggy, but a fair fresh breeze — 12 knots an hour. Some of the passengers
sick again. In the afternoon tried to create some amusement by arraigning Adler before the Captain
on a criminal charge. In the evening put the Captain in the Chair, & argued the question “which was
best, a monarchy or a republic?” — Had some good sport during the debate — the Englishmen
would’nt take part in it tho’. — After chat & Stout with Monsieur Moran & Taylor went on deck, &
found it a moonlight midnight. Wind astern. Retired at 1 A.M. ———

Tuesday Oct 30 - Glorious day — Capital cakes for breakfast. — (“Where dat old man”?) Saw a
land bird. Weather beautifully clear. For the first time in five days got our observation. Find
ourselves heading right into the middle of the Channel” — the Scilly Island out of sight to the
North. Played Shuffle Board with Taylor & the ladies. Had a superb dinner, which we all relished
amazingly. Drawing near port with a fine fair wind makes passengers feel generous. A good deal of
wine & porter on table. A magnificent night — but turned in very early.

Wednesday Oct 31 - Fair, fresh wind still holds. Coming on deck in the morning saw a brig close to
— & two or three ships. If the wind holds we shall make the Lizzard Light this evening, probably.
May be in Portsmouth tomorrow night. All hands in high spirits. Had some mulled Sherry in the
evening from McCurdy. Up late, expecting it to be the last night.
Thursday. Nov 1st - Just three weeks from home, and made the land — Start Point — about 3 P. M.
— well up Channel — passed the Lizzard. Very fine day — great number of ships in sight. Thro’
these waters Blake’s & Nelson’s ships once sailed. Taylor suggested that he & I should return
McCurdy’s civilities. We did, and Captain Griswold joined and ordered a pitcher of his own. The
Captain is a very intelligent & gentlemanly man — converses well & understands himself. I never
was more deceived in a person than I was in him. Retired about midnight. Taylor played a rare joke
upon McCurdy this evening, passing himself off as Miss Wilbur, having borrowed her cloak &c.
They walked together. Shall see Portsmouth tomorrow morning.

Friday Nov 2d - Wind from the East — ahead. Clear & beautiful day — but every one grievously
disappointed. I think I shall get off at Portsmouth, instead of going round. May be in to night, after
all. Spoke a Portsmouth Pilot boat, but took no pilot. Made the Bill of Portland — from which the
Portland stone is got. Melancholy looking voyage, white cliffs indeed! In the evening played chess,
& talked metaphysics my learned friend till midnight.

Saturday Nov 3d - Woke about 6 o’clock with an insane idea that we were going before the wind,
& would be in Portsmouth in an hour’s time. Soon found out my mistake. About eight o’clock took
a pilot, who brought some papers two weeks old. Made the Isle of Wight about 10 A.M. High land
— The Needles. Wind ahead &, tacking. Get in to night or to morrow — or next week or year.
Devilish dull, & too bad altogether. X X X X Continued tacking all day with a light wind from
West. Isle of Wight in sight all day & numerous ships. One of our steerage passengers left in the
Pilot Boat. Rum scene alongside with the boat. In the evening all hands in high spirits — Played
chess in the ladies’ saloon — another party at cards; good deal of singing in the gentlemen’s cabin
& drinking — very hilarious & noisy — Last night every one thought. Determined to go ashore at
Portsmouth. Therefore prepared for it — arranged my trunk to be left behind — put up a shirt or
two in Adler’s carpet bag & retired pretty early.

Sunday Nov 4 - Looked out of my window, first thing upon rising & saw the Isle of Wight again —
very near — ploughed fields &c. Light head wind — expected to be in a little after breakfast time.
About 10, A.M rounded the Eastern end of the Isle, when it fell flat calm. The town in sight by
telescope. Were becalmed about three or four hours. Foggy, drizzly; long faces at dinner — no
porter bottles. Wind came from the West at last. Squared the yards & struck away for Dover —
distant 60 miles. At 6 o’clock (evening) passed Dungeness — then saw the Beachy Head light.
Close reefed the topsails so as not to run too fast. Expect now to go ashore tomorrow morning early
at Dover — & get to London via Canterbury Cathedral. Mysterious hint dropped me about my
green coat. Talked with the Pilot about the perils of the Channel. He told a story of running down a
brig in a steamer &c —— It is now eight o’clock in the evening. I am alone in my stare-room —
lamp in tumbler. Spite of past disappointments I feel that this is my last night aboard the
Southampton. This time tomorrow I shall be on land, & press English earth after the lapse of ten
years — then a sailor, now H.M. author of “Peedee” ‘‘Hullabaloo” & “Pog-Dog”.

—— For the last time I lay aside my “log,” to add a line or two to Lizzie’s letter — the last I shall
write onboard. — (“Where dat old man?” — “Where books?)”