John McCosh

“ But there is also a time when our native shore hangs upon the eye with weariness and pain: when one has wound up his resolution to become a wanderer and an exile,when with a tear on his cheek, but no word on his tongue, he has looked a long and a last adieu to all that were dear to him ”

“ He feels himself in a state of transition between the past and the future and till he takes root in the land of his adoption, and puts forth new roots, new branches, and new foliage, he will not be himself again. There is a time when the remotest point of our native land beams upon the eye of the absentee with joy and delight, and the more hardships and adversities he has undergone, and the greater the dangers and escapes from the winds and the waves, the rocks and the shoals, he may have encountered on his return, the higher he appreciates the blue headland looming in the distance. ”

“ There are few things that cannot be got as cheap or even cheaper in India than in England at convenient opportunities. He cannot go wrong in taking a well-filled wardrobe; and as to uniform, a forage cap, a shell jacket, blue surtout, and red-striped pantaloons, with sword and belt, patterns of which he can see at any house of agency in London, will answer his purpose till he is certain of his regiment and of its uniform. ”

“ Misunderstandings and personal quarrels, and party feuds are no uncommon things on board ship, and the outward voyage is more remarkable for these, than the homeward. When there is such a disparity in the years, and pursuits and associations of the passengers, a certain degree of discretion and reserve is almost desirable, and like the envelopes in a case of oranges, or the dunnage of the cargo, prevents incompatible elements from chafing one another, and keeps every one in his proper place. ”

“ The aspect of the sky and the sea has each its own peculiar attraction. Brooding hurricanes, bursting water-spouts, rolling thunder, drenching showers. In southern latitudes, the sunset presents a sight of wonderful beauty and magnificence, representing the most picturesque landscapes in the most gorgeous colours, which but for their evanescence might be mistaken for reality. ”

“ He who has a taste for study, and a desire to improve himself, may turn his time on board ship to very good account. He ought to devote a portion of every day to revising his professional studies, to reading works on general literature, and those bearing upon India. Should any of his fellow passengers acquainted with Hindostanni be willing to oblige him with a little assistance, he cannot spend two hours a-day better than in acquiring the language of the country of which he must soon become a resident. ”

“ Our old familiar constellations have sunk beneath the wave and new clusters have taken their place, of equal splendour. Besides, trifles light as air fortunately attract attention. A passing sail, a distant headland, a branch of seaweed, or a floating spar, all contribute to the amusement of the party. ”

“ The poop or the quarter-deck affords ample space for air and exercise; the forecastle and the top contain interesting studies of character, while the farm yard,the poultry yard, the piggery, the dairy, may each be made to enliven an idle hour. In general, much shyness and reserve prevail amongst the passengers on first starting, and probably a good deal of this may prevail during the voyage, but this, when not based upon unfriendliness, or a desire to give offence, is likely to contribute more to the comfort and good understanding of the shipmates, than too much familiarity. ”

“ Streets of cabins,below and above, are inhabited by an extensive society of beauty and fashion;the cuddy table is the place of rendezvous three or four times a day,in good fellowship and harmony, if they are so disposed, and like members of the same family. ”

“ VOYAGE BY THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.— A fine ship, a first class Indiaman of 1500 tons, is by no means so cribbed and confined a place as the uninitiated would suppose, nor is the voyage round the Cape so very monotonous. One's ideas become wonderfully accommodated to peculiar circumstances ”

“ The parents are bereft of their offspring at a time when they were most dear and interesting, and they may not see them again till they are bearded men and maidens fair, with many of the paternal ties loosened or broken,and mutually unknown to one another on their reunion.
Should the mother fall sick, she too must be sent to England, leaving the father in a state of widowhood, and unavoidably involved in expenses which almost no young officer can afford. ”

“ All medical stores are kept in the presidency dispensaries, with branch depots at convenient places in the interior. All instruments and the greater part of medicines are imported from England. However, the Assistant-surgeon will do well to provide himself with a complete pocket dressing case and a small portable medicine chest,which he will find very useful when unattached, and when he has no access to the public stores; and if he has good mechanical hands, a portable tool chest will be of great service. ”

“ Such concentrated essences of enjoyment are worth years of the maudlin sentimentality that often creeps through the sensorium of the stay-at-home, and no sweeter incense is offered on the altar of patriotism, than by the exiled wanderer in a tropic land. ”

“ The saloons are ornamented with everything the fine arts can supply; and though the sleeping berths are very circumscribed, one becomes reconciled to them if the occupants are well suited to one another. It appears to me that, generally speaking, the sleeping berths have not received that consideration to which they are entitled; that they are deficient in a few necessary fittings-up that would contribute much to the comfort of the passengers, such as fixed seats, hooks for clothes, shelves, drawers, and epecially a strong hook in the deck over the bed to swing in by. ”

“ Books on general literature he will find cheaper in India than at home; and as for periodical literature, he will find a book-club in every station and in every regiment, well supplied with the latest information.
Civilians and officers of engineers, of artillery, and cavalry, will do well to be guided as to their particular equipment by some officer of their own particular branch; opportunities of consulting whom will frequently occur after their nomination. ”

“ Young fathers, and young mothers, and large families, on slender means, now teem in every regiment, and young widows, and young orphans have increased in due proportion. Their numbers have far exceeded the computation of the actuaries of our Military and Orphan Funds. ”