After breakfast went to see Jack Lyons in _Miranda_, and then outside to George Goldsmith, _Sidon_; with him paid an interesting visit to the extreme left of the French lines and into the ruins of Khersonese. Dined with Admiral and slept on board. [Sidenote: Mar. 4.] Visit from George Broke of _Gladiator_, also George Goldsmith. Webb from _Australia_ and Dalyell. [Sidenote: Mar. 5.] Curious to see the temporary towns and shops established by the French. [Sidenote: Mar. 6.] On going on board to dine with Admiral, heard of the Emperor of Russia’s death. On returning communicated same to Charlie Talbot and Clarence Paget. Curious the unsettled state of mind people are in, through the Czar’s death. What strange surmises as to the future. [Sidenote: Mar. 8.] Early arrival of mail. News anything but cheery. Sir James Graham no longer First Lord. Kind letter from him. Bread riots. No Government. Well-earned good service pension to Milne. [Sidenote: Mar. 9.] Accompanied Admiral Houston Stewart in _Beagle_ steamer to Balaklava. Found guards quartered close. Wenny Coke, Robert Lindsay, and other friends dined with Lord Rokeby. Put up on board _Diamond_ with Peel. Great improvements in Balaklava. Harbour crowded. Dangerous quantity of powder afloat. [Sidenote: Mar. 10.] Peel and I, mounted by Sir Colin Campbell, rode to St. George’s Monastery. Beautiful scenery, ditto weather. Peace and quiet. Strange contrast with encampments close by. [Sidenote: Mar. 12.] Omar Pasha arrived in _Valourous_. Cheered him in passing. [Sidenote: Mar. 13.] Maitland Lennox and his artillery brother to dine and stay the day on board. [Sidenote: Mar. 14.] Outside squadron dining with Houston-Stewart. Jolly! [Sidenote: Mar. 15.] Brisk exchange of shots between the front and Russians. No results. Dined with Clarence Paget. [Sidenote: Mar. 20.] Dined with Commander-in-Chief. Death of the Russian Admiral Istoma, one of the perpetrators of the Sinope tragedy. [Sidenote: Mar. 21.] A man died this morning from a virulent attack of smallpox. Dined with Commander-in-Chief, having previously taken Dalrymple Hay a walk. [Sidenote: Off Sevastopol, Mar. 22.] Dined with Pasley on board _Agamemnon_: we had been messmates when I was a mid in _Tweed_. Play on board _Algiers_, C. Talbot. Acting good. Heavy firing. Town apparently on fire. [Sidenote: Mar. 23.] General Barnard having sent a horse, rode to the front. After luncheon walked into the trenches to see the effect of last night’s attack on our lines. [Sidenote: Camp, Mar. 24.] Flag of truce hoisted at noon for two hours to enable both sides to bury their dead. Extraordinary sight. Russians, French, and English mixed, looking for their respective dead. 500 corpses lying about. Walked at night with friend General Charles Windham. [Sidenote: Mar. 25.]