We cannot well make out the amount of damage done to the Russian batteries, but the fire from them gets very slack towards the afternoon, and sometimes is silenced altogether; but they manage to repair damages in the dark, and commence in the morning much the same. Nearer to us we have seen the Frenchmen’s battery, considerably damaged, but they replace their gabions and sand-bags, and go at it again. In fact, judging from the supply of shot and shell in rear of his battery, the enemy means to keep the ball going for some time. We get occasional accounts from the camp. Up to yesterday the bluejackets appear to have suffered most. Two lieutenants, Twyford and Douglas, killed. Captain Lord John Hay wounded, jaw broken, teeth knocked out and throat cut by the fragment of a shell: doing well though, and wishes to return to the trenches. Seventy-six seamen _hors de combat_, and Lord Raglan asking for more. They are decidedly the best shots, but take no care of themselves. I am sorry the town of Sevastopol shows as yet little or no symptoms of damage: on the top of one of their sea batteries, I can see ladies admiring, as we suppose, our Fleet. While all this is going on on shore we (French and English ships) form a long and imposing line across the harbour. Our daily routine, muster, bands playing; everything going on as if we were in Plymouth Sound or at Spithead. [Sidenote: Journal.] Visited hospital, all patients except one doing well. Pasley and Talbot to dine. Paget and Drummond went into the harbour after dark in the _Valourous_, and caused a slight diversion by opening fire on the forts. [Sidenote: April 14.] With Admiral to visit Lord Raglan: unusual on mail departure days. [Sidenote: April 15.] Until the place is invested cannot see use of the present expenditure of ammunition. About this time Clarence Paget conceived the idea of placing two lights on shore in such a position that, by bringing them in one, we might on the darkest nights approach the batteries and deliver our fire in succession; in the hope that the enemy, not being able to see the ships, would fire at random and probably miss us, whereas we, knowing exactly the distance and direction, could point our guns with unerring aim. Sir Edmund Lyons, as stated by Paget, brightened on the occasion. Paget with his master had sounded the line the ships had to take. I expected great things of my _Jenny d’ Acre_ when her turn should come. [Illustration: _Headquarters._]