Part 5 (2/2)

_Sat.u.r.day_ morning, the _2nd November_.--Spoke the _Hibernia_ at eight o'clock, A.M.: about 130 pa.s.sengers, all on deck, with whom we exchanged cheers as she pa.s.sed. I was struck with the warlike appearance she had: whether it has been contemplated or not, I discovered that all these mailsteamers are admirably adapted for war: all they require are port-holes for cannon. They are made to Admiralty order, and cost 60,000 each. At six P.M. we pa.s.sed the Devil's Limb, a rock close by Seal Island, where the _Colombia_ was lost. The coast is dangerous between Boston and Halifax. The captain was up both nights.

_Sunday_ morning, at seven.--I was aroused by the discharge of a brace of cannon, and on coming on deck I found we were in Halifax harbour.

Population of this place is 20,000. Governed by Lord Falkland. Nova Scotia is about 300 miles in circ.u.mference. Staple of the town, fish: I should have thought dogs, for I saw some hundreds. It is a mean-looking town: nearly all wood houses: a very good fort and government-house. St.

John's, New Brunswick, is 250 miles from here: population, 35,000: governed by Sir W. Colebrooke: staple, timber and deals, and whale-fis.h.i.+ng. I intended visiting St. John's, but had not time. It was fortunate, as I should have been left behind. Owing to some breakdown, the mail did not arrive in Halifax in time for us: neither did the Quebec mail, by the Gulf of St. Lawrence, from Quebec, _via_ Picton, 120 miles from Halifax, arrive; and, because Captain Harrison would not wait for these mails, the Governor would not allow him the Halifax: so we started at half-past ten, leaving them all behind. At Halifax I made the acquaintance of Mr. Howe, late of the Executive Council, and Collector of Excise, which he resigned: salary, 700 a year. He is now editor of the Nova Scotia newspaper. I shall not forget his politeness, although he is a red-hot Radical. They send whalers from Halifax to the South Seas. Opposite Halifax is Dartmouth, a town of 15,000 inhabitants, whence they send plaster and rum to the States. We pa.s.sed St. George's Island, a battery, and the Thumb Cap, where the _Tribune_ was lost. We also pa.s.sed the Curzon and Devil's Island Beacon, and were much gratified by pa.s.sing a fleet of men-of-war, the largest of which, the _Ill.u.s.trious_, 74 guns, 700 hands, was in full sail, with a band of music playing and singing ”_Home, sweet home_,” which went to my very soul. They were bound for Bermuda, West India Islands. Their Admiral, Sir C. Adam, was on board, with sixteen officers. At five P.M. we were out of sight of land, steaming it along at ten knots.

Pa.s.sAGE HOME PER ACADIA.

Nov. 1st.--Light westerly winds, with fine clear weather. All sails set.

Lat. 42 57'; Long. 66 57' 87”.

2nd.--Westerly winds, steady, with clear weather, and smooth water.

Pa.s.sed the _Hibernia_ at eight A.M., from Liverpool, bound to Boston. At four saw Seal Island, bearing north: distance about seven miles. At daylight made Halifax harbour.

Lat. 42 20'; Long. 71 4'.

3rd.--At seven landed the mails. At eleven cast off from the wharf, and proceeded to sea. Light winds, westerly, with smooth water. All sails set.

394 miles. Lat. 44 39-1/2'; Long. 62 33-3/4'.

4th.--Winds from S.W. to N.W., light, with hazy weather, and small rain.

231 miles. Lat. 45 17'; Long. 58 0'.

5th.--Wind N.E., light, with fine clear weather, and smooth water. At eleven Cape Race, 10 miles distance, bearing to the east. At four exchanged signals with the brig _Mary and Martha_. Wind standing to the southward.

241 miles. Lat. 46 30'; Long. 52 47'.

6th.--Strong easterly gales, with dark cloudy weather, and a heavy sea running.

202 miles. Lat. 47 10'; Long. 47 56'.

7th.--Moderate breeze, and clear weather: wind easterly, with a head sea.

178 miles. Lat. 48 12'; Long. 44 17'.

8th.--Strong S.E. gales: dark gloomy weather, and heavy N.E. swell.

214 miles. Lat. 49 0'; Long. 39 0'.

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