Shortly after three o'clock on the Thursday before Good Friday, we cast off from the Nippon Yusen' Kaisha's wharf. The weather was beautifully fine, but as we got outside Woosung, the wind was decidedly cold. Some disappointment was felt among the male passengers at the departure of several of the opposite sex, just before casting off. However, "there are others."
We had a good look round the ship, and all were very much pleased with the accommodation. What a pity, we thought, that more people did not take advantage of the trip. As we got well out-ide, the weather and sea proved to be all that we could wish for. Everything went well, and we all sat down to dinner in the saloon. There were 22 of us, including seven Indies and two small boys, who had as good a time as any one. During dinner several of the passengers looked squeamish, and there was certainly a slight motion beginning to be felt. After dinner most of us retired early, and the majority enjoyed a good night's rest.
We anchored shortly after midnight in the west bay, just under the lighthouse and at 6.15 a.m. stormed row.d to the northern bay, generally termed by the Saddles' people the N. W. Bay. All were ap betimes on the Good Friday morning, and a glorious moreing greeted us, with not a cloud in the sky, but a fresh wind blowing. After breakfast all were landed by 9 a.m, and collected at Mr. Morris's) Hotel-Bungalow, which was made the party's headquarters during the time spent on shore. The morning was passed by the numerous parties exploring the various hills, ete. The magnificent beach of the N. E. Bay was a great attraction, and the splendid weather and really beautiful scenery put everybody into the best of spirits. Soon after midday we gradually drifted back to the " H.-B." and eventually sat downtoasplendid cold Kindly sent on shore from th afternoon was passed in a more lei manner, seeking out favourable positions for bungalows, strolling on the beach, and the realisation of the change from the climate of Shanghai to the bracing sea breezes of the Saddles was indeed a source of true enjoyment. Toa was served at 4 p.m, also at the H.-B., and before G p.m. we were all ones more on board prepared to do justice to the right good fare that all through the trip was provided for us.
All wore more or less tired after the unusual exertions of the day, but: nevortheless whist, chess, halma, ete., wore indulged in by some; but everything was very peaceful and quiet on board long before 11 p.m.
Saturday proved to be a still better day than the previous-one, The weather was simply perfect, decidedly warmer, with a clear, blue sky, the alight hi almost balmy. We could not ha proved upon it if ordered. A visit to the lighthouse was the feature of the day, and the majority of the party ma early start to proceed there by main road, which passes over t]
practically the whole top of the island oak on the island, and running along affords a truly magnificent view of the various bays and adjacent islands: It reminded one very much of the famous Inland Sea. The ascents both wi fare very steep in places, "but.
managed' to get over the miles within an hour and arrived at the lighthouse soon after 11 a.m. Hero we were met by a most genial and courteous host, Mr. Cunningham, who, together with his assistant, took a keen delight in showing us all the details and working of this splendid light. The journey home by the old footpath skirting the island brought us back after " most charming morning to the H.-B., where we again did justice to a good luncheon, During the afternoon the weather was 40, gonial, many of the fair sox indulged in paddling, and with them, needless to wore the two small boys. A fow, very fow, of the sterner sex bathed, the water being rather too cool for the majority, But in warmer weather the bathing cannot be surpassed anywhere in the world, denutiful, gradually sloping and perfect sandy bench with no danger from tide or currents. After tea many of the party visited the Cleft Rock, access to which is by single plank. Close to this is fan exceedingly interesting cave, which, however, I did not visit, and so cannot describe. The dinner this evening was almost a brilliant one with wit, humour, and repartee worthy of other " climes."
'A pleasant night's rest and then came an awakening to a morning with regard to weather decidedly ominous, Cloudy and rainy, it was decided to ask the captain to have steam up by 11.m., so that Jif there were no signs of clearing by that time we should up anchor and return to Shanghai. The whole party, with one exception, wentiashore about nine o'clock, but shortly after ten o'clock the weather Dogan to got dirty, with rain and slight squalls. The Captain went on shore at board, but they all stopped at the am. to being: the shore people on
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.