Wednesday 23rd March 1853

The Ripon. Image copyright of P&O Heritage.

This morning the weather continued fine the temperature becoming sensibly milder. Most of the ladies made their appearance in the forenoon and came on deck; the sun shone out- and for half an hour before luncheon the band played on deck. By paying her a little attention I had gained the confidence of a young lady, of about one year old and took her to see the livestock on board, which I found more considerable than I had at first supposed, - another lot of sheep than those I had observed at first, some dozen or so, besides a number of turkeys, pigeons, geese, and a still greater number of poultry and ducks. The little lady was on her way with her mother and nurse to Shanghai to join her father who had never seen her, having left the country a fortnight after being married. The mother had been laid up very poorly almost from the commencement of the voyage from sea sickness, while the little creature had not suffered at all....

The full journal will be published by Annet House Museum, Linlithgow in May. Waldie's journey to India will form a key feature of the museum's Waldie exhibition which will open to the public on 18 May.

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