A LADY'S DIARY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 48368, 29 September 1894, Page 2

A LADY'S DIARY.

by firs l/l/. £ Paige.

July 12th, 1894 I hope the .first pari of my/news-letter . reached you pafely. I thought it .best to take the opportunity of posting-it as soon aswo reached Colombo.- We too Mile the breakwater before' daylight yesterday, and as soon as breakfast was over, we (a party of four) took seats in the steam launch, and. in about' ten minutes were landed at the town. \ Mr- Paige at once made arrangements for the day,' and.'our first drive was to Mount Lavinia, some; miles in tiio country, where there' is a grand hotel beautifully; situated near .the new beach there. We again started our drive, first visiting the Cinnamon gardens, where we stopped: to;-; cut. some sticks. Then wo drove to the a : riiagnifieent building in well kept grounds,We were taken over the rooms by a guide, and much interested in \tho wonderful collection of curios, principally Indian and Cingalese: Then we were taken to jiee the principal Bhuddist /Temple - where there aro2oo priests wo wero told, and all dressed alike in yellow garments. We were given some, of the sacred-pink lollies, and .lfiaves of' the sacred tree. Then'wo seemed to lie taken through every.street in;the place.-'.One could not help ' being astonished at seoing Bucb a" dense native population and soircely a white : face' in the public garden hi which the Government.- House is situatei. Getting under the trees we saw sonie. very wonderful Indian conjuring, I have' never seen anything to equal it. The mtn-or it may have been a woman for they all seem to dress aliko and have long hair—showed us a dried Mango teed. This he or she put on the gravel walk olose to our feet and with his hands scraped up enough soil to cover-the Eced, (a small mound,) then poured on the small heap a tin cup of water, and thou put a thin cloth over it, and in a minute lifted the cloth and there was a small leaf sprouting up, This we | thought very wonderful. Aminute after the cloth was again raised and quite a little ' plant was there. Again the oloth was put on it, and we could see it raised and wbp'n taken away there was a largo plait with the 1 leaves full grown, ttaon he pulled it up from the gravel and showed us the plant, coming umnisiakeably from the' seed, ani s arootuttho other end. Wo thought the i ezliibilion well worth.a rupee, to me it was i tho most wonderful thing I have ever aeon, • Wo had afternoon tea at; tho large tea ' Kiosk, and towards evening - were glad, to i return to the. big steamer. I hare 1 never i seen a more interesting place than Colombo ! and I should have been very 1 sorry indeed > not to have spent a day there. We did not ) find it as hot on shore ns on tho steamer on our return. Of course the coalng madp it ' necessity to close all the portholes and, io • spite of precaution, tho coal dust seemed tc ) penetrate overywhore. I conH not help feeling sorry for the poor tired looking Stewards.

On Monday the 'Jth the Stewards gave .us all a very gond Nogro Minstrel entortsin-1 ment in Iho Ist Saloon, The ono programme was very satisfactorily got tip, and after the concert was'roflled,and I was the fortunate winner. On the 10th wo had ft concert in the Haloou. It was a good one, and a vary elaborate programme was printed for it by one of,our passengers, and to my surprise it was presented to mo as a meinento ol the good ship Austral. To-day tho weather. is iiue.bat the ship rolls so that writing is far from easy, and the heat most

July 17th.-I have not written in mydiary for many days, for a good reason, 1 nothing of interest .lias occurred. The weather lias been too hot for any exertion either on deck or in tho saloon, and tho steamer rolled too much, although wo have had bo far as wonderfully good passage and contrary to all expectations have only come in for a very short experience of the dreaded Monsoon. Yfcsterday wo passed within threq.imls3 of the'lsland of SocotraV To us it appeared only a huge barren rook, but wc Icaro it is fertile in many parts and has a large mixed, population of Arabs, and Indians. It wis a very pleasant siiiht yesterday seeing the land tho only time we havo scon any since wo left Colombo, on the 12th. Yesterday we bad a pleasant afternoon tea with the Parson in his deck cabin, and now to-day all the young ladies are very busy preparing for a fanoy dress ball which was to have taken place the day after we left Colombo, but the ship was not quite steady enough for 6uch a grand affair, but now as we are getting near the lied Sea she does not roll quite so much. July 18th.- We aro stlli fortunate in (jetting line weather, in ' fact wc havo not had rain sinco wo,left Mclbeumo nearly a month ago. Only slight showers at night, So wo have had unusually favounblo weather at thiß season of tho year. To day a good brosze makes it cooler, Last night wo bad a most amusing entertainment given on thedock, a Trial by Jury, Markbam v, Powell,the caso being most ably argued by two of our passengers, but the fun was in examining the witnesses. Ono Irishman caused roars ol laughter and wo have given him the namoof "the Joker." Ho onters into all the games and can well take and give a joke, ready to swear to anything, but as tho plaintiff was a young and very good looking young lady, he did what ho could for her, but tho Jury gave their verdict for the elderly defendant, July 10th, Thursday.—Thi3 morning we had quite an exciting time passing Aden. Our signals were answered from a flagstaff near the lighthouse, aud wo could seo very plainly tho houses roofed with red tiles. The island looks very barren, We passed a small steamer, and an Arab dhow, and glasses!wore in general requisition. Wo are now in the Gulf of Aden, speeding along at a good rate, witli a very fresh breeze, which wc devoutly hope may bo with us all through the lied Sea. July 20th.—Last evening wc passed tho Island of Porim, vliicli must havo a great many inhabitants, judging by the number of lights in different parts ot the island, 'lhe lighthouse had a revolving light, and a rod beacon was burned on tho hill in answer to the one on the ship. We entered the Bed Sea a littlo later, aud soon felt the great heat, la spite of this, however, there was dancing on deck, to tho music of the Steward's excellent Band. Tho cxtreino heat gave me but little Bleep last night, but this morning wo were ablo to have all-ports open, and there is a slight breeze. We aro now fairly in the Bed Sea, and it is as smooth as glass. Indeed, wo can scarcely fed the steamer moving. About breakfast time we passed some barren rocks, called tho Twolve Apostles, and saw the distant smoke of a steamer, but the blaze of the sun makes it difficult to see any distant object, aud ono cannot seo where tho sea ends or sky begins. It is.this blaze, and tho number of rooks which make the passage through such a dangerous one. July 21st.—Wc aro having ail exceptionally good passage through the Bed Sea,' a part of tho voyage always dreaded ,at any season. So far wo have had a good head wind, and it has been almost cool, except at night. Wo aro now in mid-ocean, with no land visible on either side. This morning wo saw a very largo steamer, supposed to be ono of tho P. & 0. boats on her way out, and later on another smaller one. It is amusing to sco how the sight of a ship or a bit of land creates an excitement among tho passengers, and all who possess a glass rush to obtain a view.. Last night wc had a Fancy Dress Ball on deck, aud it was a very great success. Tho ship was very steady, and tho arrangements wero | well carried out. It was very wonderful where all tho pretty costumes oamo from. One gentleman had on a beautiful Court dress, and looked really handsome. On all these steamers, there is a barber's shop, and lie provides tho fancy costumes, and has quite a stock not only of drapery etc,, but also in curios and everything ono is supposed to want on board ship. Ho pays a reduced rate of paseago money, and is not exorbitant in his oharges, For some days during this hot weather, ice orcams aro served out every day to all tho lady passengers at 11. o'clock and largo jups of ico water, are placed on each table at all hours, and at the ball last night tbcre was lemonade and claret cup, with, cakes- and sandwiches, in fact one must own that all that is possible isdone for our comfort, and I suppose Ist saloon passengers fare even more sumptuously. July 22nd,—On Sunday another lovely day and a good east wind whioh makes it quite cool on deok. VVe havo had 'ovening and mo'ning services on deck as it would be too warm in the Saloou, and the piano taken there from, the Ist Saloon. Good congregations at both services. ■ Today we have seen many steamers and I am proud to say tho Austral passed all going in the homeward bound direction. As we camo up on deck after tea we wero passing two large table , rocks, called the Brothers. On tho larger one there is a light-house, and one thought what a lonely spot for men to live in and how thankful all who pass 'that way mußt ho for the guiding, light, for beforo the light-house was placed there, many ships havo been wrecked on these dangerous rocks, Towards:evening wo .were ablo to distinguish the land on-the, African Coast and we saw a magnificent, sunset. behind the hill,s,;By iiogn yre.aro to |jo in '{he gulf of Suca. ; ' ;v. : :v\'. ~,

July 23rd.—A lovely morning and the ! breeze * Btill>rfth us. I wwearly bn : dcok, and being nowintKe' Golf oE Sdez, wo can see the land faintly on one side and- on the tight we can now distinctly see the mountains I pi Sinai. Soon after breakfast we' arrived at

only! TiewoE,the'townj;lt'isotitb'6 ; ;:lb(tV'af^^^^H Port Kcwfik'oa this.; right,' ihaVfdi'Qy largo place- and . busily popul(iWd.2it a goiod plant cd, but" ibere pne place we : ; »$ the Pilgrims oross to number of' bring back Pilgrims on'd The an hour on account banks i;om; tiino woreachedlßmallait bad th'o search light j and theSl pilots and saw ft large 'steamer{ her, ■. journey. .: the Bo no like Fairyjiui4', light tiiadG cyerjiLTpß- afoutid day. : I remained on deck nntil and sat the Great NorthtStar, 'the longer see; In hiaiSy/parls'of was. very hot, but when it wasdeMtfully cool. «/ . July 24th; Tuesday;-' I.Eaw ■ this moriiing'from my' cabin, Port; Said,' and'.was soon on are to loavo again at i 0 go on - shore, but;, we allying/iiry it; 'We have aii excelletiHewof and again one is em' so lar plain and such /a. population,' natives thronged the Khip„with3phc i onrios, and laoo) ,etoS we verel glSd? to! • photos butnotKfflg'elaeeMopt'grap& wh H i are very fine and ctoat ;Bd'a ib. ' plibtos are .5 for Is,;'. agiibon our way and 1 tenaneanand Europe,. 1 Canal onthißßide is i water's stretching-lout from°tO^^^H > light house at each end. - The 1 smooth and. we' still 1 breeze. There ! in sight but now they aro no longer aioo^^H > The Suez Canal is i am thankful to have seen 1 25111,-^o..weather ilßtillvpol^^^B 3 fine.and we'arogplhg.thro^gti-fte-jv^^^l > a good rate, No land in Bight, , we sighted tho'Ormiiz, ono "oi': ! Oriental liners, on; W.way After dinner this afternoon, I m p 9 one of the open port-holes when ' rushed in and I 'wan deluged in i and all the cabins on' this' side' of 0 (ours amongst the number) are r Wo hope toreaoh England next' J - fi'y 27th, Friday.—Wo V<^| 1 early on deok tlns.morning andlJk goocH * tow of Stroinboli,'' and., the hmiSfcnt. the*?i oot l of 'homountnins and we co^^eethe v ; ( ' ™e 'torn the top. ■ I should notlM safo J ut in'rang bo near a voloario,. TheTOhbrilfe all that wo can desire. Wo"passodftrougw\- ■• the Strait? of Messina during the^dighUf/V 1 '• ™ Mt Paige sleeping as .he dots offv

(leak, saw the lights in town aiid the IsWiL? of Sicily yory distindtly, and could imagino.. thedangors of being .tehranf'Soylla and Gbarybdis. July 2711).—W0 arrived At 'Kaplbs iu the ; afternoon, and anchored ; not very for ftjjtsf? the town. I felt rather disapp'ointed in'ihe; view ot the city as aeon from, the • Bft; fe it is a very much larger place than me v expected to see, the population being Wfc thing lite 600,000, inoludibg . the sub™)' We did not go into the city, as the captain] only'gave us two hours; 'and'. by : tti" time' the steam launch was ready one hour , had i gone, so wo contented ourselves asfmany'v' othersdo, hy viewing the city from .the deok£j We got a pcrfcot view of Mount, .Vesnvirfsj ;• which wo should bavo missed from.tfie:cUjr:;, itself. The, mountain was volumes of smoke, changing: color/.eyerj - )! minute.Thcrd werehousea dotted about quit* high up, and wc could plainly see the. railway! which looked to us almost perpendicular.^ It was.a wonderful and most interesting'!: sight, and we regretted' our .short'jsiay, ? which prevenied us from going to Pompeii, / only about 14 miles by train. On the out-, ward voyage, two days are allowed,'and the : passengers can see Naples and Pompbii, but S now thoy ore in a hurry to reach England) and merely stay to land, and get the rifaflsy on board. We were ablo to get a. goodV sized, basket of fruit, with oranges 4nd lemons, all most delicious, and a fewowios, not expensive oncu. I was muoh aimiscd ot o wine seller who had his boat close to. the ship, and was offering port wine (?) for f 4s a bottle and had a good sale, but as tjk time drew on for the steamor to slartrfllL said Cd a bottle and still'sold. very-few, a? the bell rang he camo down to 3 bottles for Is, and the fruit also came • to 3d a, dozen for large orauges. Fans and baskets, wore equally reduced in price, Wo could not see' Capri it was too dark but other places could be seen plainly. The seals'very smooth.' and wo now havo all our port holes open, and the air is so cool. What a ' favourable passage we havo had so (ar; fine weather all the way. Wo are told the " Oruba,'' the ship in which we went fromi Sydney to Melbourne, had very • bar weather, and was three days late in reaoh-' ing England. Nowweoxpect and hope to - be three days before our time. , t J. ■ July'2Bth.—We passed very near..the! Island of Sardinia this afternoon, and seen; ; from the south side, it is very rooky, We" 1 saw the light-houso and signal station,' and onoverybluff or promontory there; was'a; 1 round tower. Tlip ialnnrl rliil nnf ooof.i, fn

havo many inhabitants on the coast,' we could see no villages nor dwelling houis, We havo still lovely calm weather, . and In the evening there was a dance oh deck, to the musio of tho Stewards' band.'- •■ : July 20th, Sunday,—We had the service this morning in the; Ist Saloon and a good congregation. - In the evening it will be in 1 our 2nd saloon, July 30th, Monday—Very early" this L morning we could see the high mountains : of tho Spanish coast, (the Sierra Nevada): but wo were not. near enough to tho- land to see it plainly. The sea is very smooth,' and no wind. We passed many ships .with aU their sails sot, but scarcely a breath'of wind to fill them. They looked as Jth'onjjlLthey were at anchor; indeed w4 have passed everything as yet, In the afti moon wc had a few friends to join us in our afternoon tea. The head steward nbvided. nice tea, cakes, etc., it being the aith Anniversary of our wedding day, and wo had a very pleasant, little party. : About' six we camo in sight of Gibraltar, ancl : were anchored quite close to tho lonic, It ii indeed a beautiful place. While we w<w there one of the P, and O. boats, "Carthago" came into tho bayi 'M; could plainly see tho African aro now passing through shall soon bo in the Bay of hope the weather may continue calm. Wo hear wo shall very likely Plymouth on Friday morning, the 3wtP August, so this must end my news loiter to • you as we shall not seo land until wo reaoh Plymouth, Our voyage has been a most interesting ono, and we cannot speak too' highly of the kindness and consideration we have received onboard, .Everything possible has been done for the comfort and', convenience of tho passengers, and amusement also for all classes.'- 'As lam now writing tho Stewards' band is playing on tho deck, and tho younc people are enjoying Hj dance. We havo lili'd exceptional weathe/ fine from the day wo left Molbourne,' an? calm sea, and we shall say good bjoj? " Austral" with mixed feelings, of f :( and regret; sorry to wjk&f:' pleasant companions been associated for six weeLft J y'-ji feci we shall so soon meetAifVy'l England. I only wish I could ' lft giv<4 you a better description of-the Interesting? places wc havo seen—Gibraltar -.particularly, but it should bo keen to .be appreciated. July 31st, Tuesday.—On deck 'this idoiM ing wo had a good yiew.of the coast for some hours. Ah we Cape St. Vincent, we ran into fog, and were all glad to! and take refuge in tho cold. The fog-horn was minutes, and we passed also blowing her fog-horn, cleared up, wo found we sight of the coast, •and we Plymouth early on- Friday ono of the finest passages have found here, as . friends and pleasant people, wo shall be sorry to we had a most delighiful . second saloon, .• A Mr raltar, played . beautifully,.. astonished his large audience, that the steamer never had rate amateurs on board at have twO well-known actors, ' professional singersi l and amateurs. The weather, and pleasant passengers, mode is a most delightful trip s for us. W1 are now in the Bay'of Biscay/i With ,the sey still calm, and the steamer as steady. s||A possibly can be pn the ocean. " .I say farewell to Masterton friends till reach the shores o( Old England, {Y.j ■