Monday 18 July 1836

Monday July 18^th The wind fell in the night and for four hours we were absolutely becalmed. This proved exceedingly trying to my poor patient; for the ship no longer being steadied by the wind, & there being much sea, it was tossed about in a very disagreeable manner. The waves which broke against her with considerable violence gave the idea at night of a tempest, which agitated Harriet a good deal. In the evening she was very ill, and I could not help expressing an anxious wish that she had not accompanied me. Mr Everard’s treatment had not alleviated her sufferings, and he said he knew of no other course; her strength seemed to fail fast, and her spirits which had hitherto supported her, now gave way. Thus circumstanced I requested the assistance of another medical gentleman on board who was compelled by want of means to go in the steerage with the laborers, and he accordingly in conjunction with Mr Everard paid Harriet a visit. The only alteration he suggested was in the position, Mr Everard desired her to remain quietly in bed, while Mr Slater wished her to rise and go on deck. This she accordingly did in the afternoon and was decidedly better in the morning. Having unfortunately left England without a swinging cot & Capn Duff having heard me strongly expressing regret at this circumstance, with the greatest kindness he offered me the use of his sail makers and carpenter to manufacture one for me. Happening to possess some canvas fitted for the purpose, I accepted his offer, and in the evening placed Harriet in a most commodious cot which the industry of the men, stimulated by some tobacco, completed in the course of the day. During the whole of her illness, every attention has been shown her not only by Capn Duff, but by every passenger in the cabin, all having opened their stores to try to find some little luxury which might possibly be palatable to her.