_August 12th, 1821._--We embarked at eight o'clock on board the
_Wellington_, Captain Cheeseman: we got down to the ship by a ladder.
The moon shone beautifully on the sea. The _commissaire_ came after
we were on board; he asked William how he liked France. William said,
'Je déteste la France,' and Stewart added, 'Et je déteste la France
aussi.' We went to bed in the cabin, which was very nicely furnished;
but the beds were small and uncomfortable. Soon after we felt the ship
moving out of the harbour, and I thought with pleasure that I should
awake far from France. Mamma and Catherine, who slept in another room,
were pretty well; all the rest of us, except Euphemia, were very sick.
The light went out, and papa was obliged to awake the steward, who was
quite tipsy. The captain slept on the sofa. The steward went every now
and then to a bottle, and drank out of it.
_August 13th._--I awoke very sick. At ten minutes to six Euphemia went
upstairs to see England. After we had had some tea I went on deck,
where I lay down, very glad to leave the close, hot cabin. Euphemia was
a very useful little person; she went up and down, and got us all we
wanted. William and Stewart sang 'Merrily every bosom boundeth, merrily
oh, merrily oh.' I raised myself up to see England; the sight of the
white cliffs quite refreshed me. A boat came out at eight o'clock in
the evening; it was very rainy, but we soon got on shore. We went to
the Old Ship Inn; the beds were _very_ comfortable.