Thursday 7 July 1836

Thursday 7th. Up to this day from Deal the weather has been rather variable, but today it was nearly a complete calm. Harriet has suffered much from indisposition, partly attributable to the motion of the ship. Bilious to the last degree, nothing has been found to quiet her stomach, or relieve the pain of sickness. The opiate plaister not only completely failed in its object, but the opium being absorbed into the system, occasioned frightful dreams and consequently distressing nights. The calm today seduced her to the deck, but even here she could not long remain. Three small sharks played about the stern of the vessel, but had the skill to elude the arts of our sportsmen though their baits were repeatedly taken. They remained in sight for nearly three hours & then disappeared.