Tuesday night, Jan’y 25/98, at sea, SS “Victoria” 10:15 ship time, 8:45 your time.
I’ve so little to record since posting from Brindisi, but as we are due at Port Said at 1 p.m. tomorrow, I may not find it convenient to write if left till we arrive, & I shall make for the shore as early as possible to view about, tho’ I’m told it’s one of the uninteresting points of call. It’s been a very fine day at sea but tonight since about 8, the wind has freshened & we are rolling a bit. The sun is getting quite warm daily, & at midday burning, but how wintery the scenery all the way from Brindisi to past Crete, this morning about 11, very high hills & all snow-capped, & the sun shining so brilliantly upon them made a pretty picture. We passed Cephalonia & Zante quite close yesterday, & the atmosphere was so clear, every village [1:60] was distinct & my glasses were of great assistance. We witnessed a most beautiful sunset last night & a distinct reflection then of 2 suns after Old Sol himself had dipped, & the lovely colours on the horizon was richer than any I’ve before seen, & within ½ hour after, the first appearance of a new moon became visible. Bright, fine, starry night, it was, & the plough & N. star still visible, also Orion. This constellation you can see first over Christ Church – Yardward as mother used to style it – “The Bonnie, Bonnie Banks O’ Loch Lomond” is, I hear, being sung above in the music room. In fact, it’s been quite a musical evening – there was to be dancing on deck tonight but owing to the change it’s deferred.
I’ve written to Mary at Petersbourg tonight, read for posting tomorrow. No letter from uncle at Brindisi. I left my address to forward to Bombay.
I’ll close for tonight. It’s 20 to 11 with us.
[1:61]