=Wednesday. 18th March.=—Lat. 42° 34′ S., long. 17° 04′ W. Distance 200 miles. The wind increases towards evening and we make from 15 to 17 knots an hour, yet the ship is so steady that we danced on the poop with the greatest ease. =Thursday, 19th March.=—Lat. 43° 0′ S., long. 7° 17′ W. Distance 430 miles. It is very wet and there is a heavy sea on. In the middle of the day the wind lulled a bit, then turned over to the starboard quarter and set to work snoring again as hard as ever. =Friday, 20th March.=—Lat. 43° 0′ S., long. 0° 55′ E. Distance 360 miles. This weather is most inspiriting, we have made during the last 47 hours the greatest run that perhaps ship ever made; yet all the time we have carried our main skysail and all sorts and conditions of stunsails. =Saturday, 21st March.=—Lat. 43° 03′ S., long. 7° 57′ E. Distance 308 miles. The sea to-day has been really magnificent, the waves were grand and swept along in majestic lines. In the afternoon our weekly concert took place in the after saloon. =Sunday, 22nd March.=—Lat. 43° 51′ S., long. 15° 51′ E. Distance 348 miles. (1446 miles in four days, an average of 361½ miles per day.) =Friday, 27th March.=—Lat. 44° 38′ S., long. 35° 36′ E. Distance 152 miles. About 2 p.m. a sail was just visible on the port bow. We very soon overhauled her, made her out to be a fine American clipper barque, passed her as if she was at anchor, although she was going 10 knots at least and by 4 o’clock she was almost out of sight astern. =Thursday, 2nd April.=—Lat. 46° 11′ S., long. 70° 40′ E. Distance 328 miles. To-night the wind freshened considerably and the sea got up with it. Our main royal sheet and sundry stunsail tacks parted. =Friday, 3rd April.=—Lat. 47° 14′ S., long. 79° 22′ E. Distance 364 miles. Wind blew strongly from the north, sea high; during the night main topsail, main topgallant stunsail and main royal sheets carried away. =Sunday, 5th April.=—Lat. 45° 54′ S., long. 93° 31′ E. Distance 326 miles. Yesterday afternoon the fore topmast stunsail boom snapped like a carrot, the sail shook itself to pieces, then its yard dashed through the main topgallant sail, tore it, then tore a large hole in the main topsail. =Monday, 6th April.=—Lat. 45° 34′ S., long. 99° 40′ E. Distance 260 miles. A fine day with the wind still dead aft. The sea is not so high as was yesterday, but the rolling of the ship brings it often very near our ports. The _Lightning_ is, however, a very dry ship, and it is extraordinary how few seas we have shipped. She rolled tremendously last night, her feelings appeared to be hurt, for she creaked piteously. =Thursday, 9th April.=—Lat. 45° 34′ S., long. 118° 03′ E. Distance 302 miles. The spanker boom broke adrift and tore a large piece out of the starboard rail to the eminent peril of every person on deck, but also of the printing office of the _Lightning Gazette_.