We have ascertained that the first had nothing for us, and the unfortunate Protector was wrecked at the Sandheads, and only five of the crew saved. There were all sorts of melancholy horrors about the shipwreck, so for a long time it never occurred to me to think about my own little _venture_ in it, but I suppose it must have been there. The passengers, after they had been two days and nights in the boats, were passed by a ship coming to Calcutta, but this ship was in great danger from a squall, and as they were all a great way from land, she could not contrive to shorten sail, so that the shipwrecked people must have seen a ship pass them without making any sign, just as they were almost at the last gasp. I am sure that must have added a pang to death. A pang is added to the loss of my box, by my seeing 'a box of wearing apparel picked up at sea, from the wreck of the Protector, to be sold by auction for the benefit of ----' I forget who--the individual that picked it up. Mine to a certainty, and if they will not let me have the box, I cannot see why it is not sold for _my_ benefit. To return to my Journal.--On Thursday evening G. gave a dinner to fifty generals and colonels, &c., and they say St. Cloup covers himself with glory by the dinners he turns out. They really are wonderful. I sent for him this morning to tell him so, and he is always very amusing, so like one of Mathews' negroes. 'Si madame est contente, il n'y a rien à dire, et assurément je fais de mon mieux, mais enfin qu'est ce qu'il y a?--pas de légumes, pas de fruit; il ne faut pas tuer un boeuf, à cause de la religion de ces maudits Sikhs; enfin j'ai de la poussière pour sauce. Mon Dieu, quel pays!' On Friday morning G. went to return Runjeet's visit. It was just a repetition of the same ceremonies, he says. He asked G. to come back to a private conference for two hours before the nautch, which he is to give us to-morrow. Some of his presents were very handsome, particularly a bed with gold legs, completely encrusted with rubies and emeralds, all the furniture of the bed being yellow shawl. There was also one pair of blue shawls, which cost Runjeet 240_l._, and which are quite unique. G. gave another great dinner to fifty colonels, majors, &c., and F. and I dined in my tent. His man-dinner for once turned out pleasant and talkative. St. Cloup maintained his reputation, and I think G. and W. came over after dinner rather merry than otherwise.