Wednesday morning, Feb’y 2, very lovely morning & hot. I hung my therm. outside my port hole a while, & it registered 80. There it was shaded with the frame but on the sun side of ship. Ports on Ballaarat are all square with sliding glass window inside the cabin wall, very convenient for adjusting ventilation, & all have wind sails out to catch [1:95] the wind & cool the berths. I arose before 7, had a delightful bath, & an hour on the spar deck before breakfast, after which I enjoyed my chair & Jules Verne. The comfort in this ship far surpasses the “Victoria”, & I feel so happy & unconcerned. The feeling is the passage will be too soon ended. It is very difficult to get a snap shot on deck as all is covered with awning & the shade somewhat obscures the light, but I hope to get one before leaving. The post men are hard at it this morning & I don’t envy their work. It looks fatiguing. We have all got a schedule to fill in describing the contents of our packages for the Customs on arriving at Bombay. It feels too hot to do any such task but I must do, as Albion said they had to do, while writing, double up the shirt sleeves, I fancy my shirt will have to come off before I start.
Night 10:28, your time 7:17. Very quiet day & nothing to especially note. Our position at noon was as follows:
Lat. N. Long. E. Run
14.17 51.59 311.
I am now going to turn in so good night!