During the day the greater number of the passengers were occupied with preparations for leaving the vessel as some were to remain at Ceylon , and others were going on to Singapore, thence proceeding to China, Manilla, Java, Penang and Australia. All these of course should remain at Galle waiting for the steamer to Singapore.
Late in the evening most of the passengers congregated at the bow of the vessel on the look out for the light at Galle. After some doubtful appearances the light at length became visible, about ½ past 11 o’clock, dimly but distinctly, to the great joy of the expectant beholders. We had now only to proceed leisurely on our way, so as to be ready to enter the harbour tomorrow morning by daylight as the entrance being narrow and rocky it would be dangerous to attempt it by night. It had been cloudy during the day, but had not rained.: now the lightning flashed occasionally from the horizon, and I retired to bed resolving to rise early if possible to get a view of the welcome land, which we had not seen since we passed the Socotra group of islands.
The full journal will soon be published by Annet House Museum, Linlithgow. Waldie's journey to India forms a key feature of the museum's Waldie exhibition.
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