Passed a pretty good night with some curious dreams. Well enough to
shave by means of a glass. Made an error in reckoning the watch bells.
On deck at half-past six. Found we had not progressed much, the wind
unfavourable. No tides here, but assisted by the current make about two
knots per hour. About ten an improved N.E. wind which continued most of
the day. Cough nearly gone, sickness also, breakfasted pretty well and
dined heartily. I and my two clerical friends ordered two bottles of
champagne. About two observed a vessel ahead nearing us. Came up soon
after five, proved the _A----_ from Havannah bound to St. Petersburgh
and had been out 42 days; asked us whence we came and whither bound,
also the longitude. Then each parted bidding the other a good voyage.
The first really happy day I spent at sea. All the crew appeared to be
recovered excepting a Welshman and his wife who could not be prevailed
on to leave their hammocks; could not speak a word of English. Found the
steerage passengers very respectable poor people from Lancashire,
Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire, Westmoreland and Yorkshire, some
with a pretty good property which they found regularly diminishing. A
theological debate with Mr. Hamilton. Read part of Lander's[3] "Travels
in Africa."