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Went ashore with Colonel Gilmore, and accompanied him to the village of Saint Mawes, where we remained for the night. The most distressing reports were throughout this day confidently circulated of the loss of the Indian, with the whole of Colonel Skeene's brigade.

15th.

Proceeded with Colonel Gilmore to the rectory of Saint Juste, and viewed with much delight the ancient and beautifully-situated church, built principally in the Saxon style of architecture, and celebrated for its antiquity, and good preservation. Returned on board to dinner.

Dec. 16th. Continued at anchor in Falmouth Harbour during this and the following day, in consequence of the unabated severity of the weather, and adverse state of the wind.

18th. We were this morning visited by Colonel Campbell, who had arrived a day or two previously, in the Dowson at Fowey Harbour, and from him we received a confirmation of the melancholy loss of the Indian, without the preservation of a single individual. This dreadful intelligence pro

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duced a general gloom, and excited feelings of deep commiseration for the fate of so large a body of our comrades; but while lamenting the sad catastrophe by which we had been deprived of so many gallant companions, we felt ample cause for mutual congratulation on contemplating our own safety, after the imminent hazard we had so recently encountered of being involved in a similar premature destruction. The Dowson had proceeded upwards of fifty leagues on her voyage in company with the Indian, when the two vessels were sepa rated by the severity of the weather, and the former happily succeeded in reaching a place of safety. Besides the entire of Colonel Skeene's ill-fated corps, Colonel Campbell had to lament the loss of four officers of his brigade, who had unhappily proceeded in the Indian, for want of accommodation: on board the Dowson. A large quantity of clothing, and military stores,belonging to Colonel Hippesley's corps, were likewise lost on this disastrous occasion. During our passage from Gravesend to Falmouth, the weather had

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been almost uniformly severe, and the wind in general contrary; but subsequent to our reaching this harbour, the season became still more tempestuous, and we daily witnessed vessels flying into port for shelter from the fury of the storms, which were at that time so fatally experienced in the Channel.

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On the afternoon of the 21st the violence of the gale abated, and the wind having become favourable, every preparation was made for finally proceeding on our voyage. All was now hurry and bustle, in hourly expectation of bidding a long farewell to the happy shores of Britain; nor could I contemplate without feelings of deep sorrow and regret, the indefinite and perhaps far-distant period to which the joyful day of my return would be protracted. As the moment approached which was destined for our departure, I became more feelingly alive to the recollection of former times; but aware of the impolicy and weakness of thus yielding to a train of cheerless contemplations, I once more in a few lines bade adieu to some absent friends, and

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hastened to join the busy scene of active preparation.

22d. This morning at three o'clock the Britannia got under weigh, and finally proceeded on her voyage with a fine breeze from the N. E. On the approach of day we were still within sight of land, but it was rapidly receding from our view, and before noon had ceased to be discernible.

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23rd. Spoke the Tullus Brig of London, from Pernambuco, no news the Britannia going from seven to nine and a half knots an hour, with the wind brisk from the N. E.

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24th. This morning passed Ushant with a fresh northerly wind. The view of the fatal Point renewed our feelings of sorrow and commiseration for our hapless friends lost on board the Indian. We had now entered the Bay of Biscay, so much the terror of fresh-water sailors, and indeed its present appearance fully justified its general character, for owing to the recent tempestuous weather, it was in a state of extreme agitation. The Britannia rolled excessively, and shipped several heavy seas.

On this, and every day throughout the voyage (except when prevented by unfavourable weather) both officers and men were regularly exercised in the practice of artillery and small arms, in the morning and afternoon, and the proceedings and regu lations in general on board were perfectly similar to those adopted in the British transport service.

25th. Cleared the Bay of Biscay, making good way in our course, with a brisk easterly wind, at the rate of from eight to ten knots an hour. This being Christmas-day, we endeavoured to make ourselves as happy and comfortable as circumstances would permit; but when I contrasted my present situation with that on previous similar anniversaries, the recollection of past happiness cast a deep shade over every ent joyment.

26th. Wind E. and by S.; light breezes; ship going at the rate of from three to seven and a half knots. qui ve so

27th. Proceeding favourably on our voyage. The only novel öccurrence this day being the appearance of a large spermaceti

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