_February 2._--Work done to this day 405 feet 4 inches. _February 3._--I visited the works; and, being in the cabin, I complained of the dust there. _Dust under the Thames!_ _February 26._--I went to the Tunnel. The arch being well lighted up, and the whole walk completed, a few visitors were admitted. The coup d’œil was splendid. Mrs. Brunel, Emma, Sophia and her three little children were the first. It gave me great pleasure to see the whole of my family in the new scene. _March 21_.--There being no clay above us, there is much to apprehend from the springs. It would be much better to work slower than we do. It is indeed very hard to be under the necessity of driving. Anxiety increasing daily. [Sidenote: No clay above head; should work slower.] [Sidenote: Water increasing daily.] _March 28_.--The top pumps failed; the water rose above the abutting screws. The frames of some of them could not be advanced, nor could the bottom brickwork be laid down--great source of complaint. Isambard called the men in at 10 o’clock; they went on cheerfully. It is surprising that the men are so steady. [Sidenote: Our situation is getting much worse daily.] _March 29_.--Things are getting worse every day by the influx of water; by which the ground is softened, and the operation rendered extremely complicated and slow. As to the ground, it is evident we are now as Isambard found it by his borings of August last. We have nothing above our heads but clayey silt, and it is of a nature to be detached and run into mud by the action of water. _April 3_.--The pumping now requires forty hands. There is no exaggeration in saying that the influx of water, and the badness of the ground, cause an extra expense of 150_l_. a week. [Sidenote: Obstacles in every way.] _April 7_.--It may now be said that we are contending with the elements above and around, gaining and disputing every inch that we add to the structure. _April 9_.--Isambard’s birthday, he being of age to-day. _April 14_.--Doing as well as can be expected from the nature of the ground, and the difficulties that increase upon us. [Sidenote: To be obliged to drive too fast is a sad alternative.]