secondly, that I would not make Gibraltar a station at which to lie at anchor, and sally out upon my enemy.  I assented to the correctness of the Governor’s memorandum.  The first Lieutenant and Paymaster ashore making arrangements for the purchase of an anchor and chain.  The house of Peacock and Co. refused to supply us, because it would offend their Yankee customers.  They made arrangements with another party.  The town of Gibraltar, from the fact that the houses are built on the side of the Rock, and stand one above the other, presents the beautiful spectacle every night of a city illuminated.  Colonel Freemantle politely requested me to visit the various batteries, &c.

Wednesday, January 22nd,—­Wind still from westward.  Received on board an anchor and chain.  Received a letter from Captain Warden, on a point of international law, to which I assented—­to wit, that vessels should have twenty-four hours’ start.

Thursday, January 23rd.—­Visited by Captain Warden, the Senior Naval Officer.  Received a letter from Hon. Mr. Yancey, who does not believe that the blockade will be raised for three months.  Ordered a survey upon the ship.

Friday, January 24th.—­Invited to dine with the 100th, a Canadian regiment.  Some of the officers went.  Captain Palmer has been relieved by De Camp.

Saturday, January 25th.—­We hear a rumour that the Nashville has been sold.  Ships constantly arriving and departing.

Sunday, January 26th.—­A charming, balmy day, resembling April in Alabama.  At 10, went on shore to the Catholic church; arrived as the military Mass ended:  many Catholics in the army.  Small church, with groined arches—­remnant of Spanish times.  After church took a delightful stroll into the country, just above the Alameda.  It is a labyrinth of agave and flowers and shrubbery, among which the path zigzags up the mountain-side; geraniums, and jonquils, and mignonette, and lilies are wild.  One is only surprised, after looking at the apparently barren face of the rock, to find so much sweetness of Mother Earth.  I clambered up a couple of hundred feet, and from that height the bay, the coasts of Spain, and sleeping Africa, robed in the azure hue of distance, and the numerous sail, some under way, and others lying like so many cock-boats, as seen from the height, at their anchors—­the latteen craft speaking of the far East, &c.  Statue of General Elliot.  A number of fine-looking Moors in the streets, picturesque in their loose dresses and snowy turbans.  Gibraltar is, indeed, a city of the world, where one sees every variety of costume, and hears all tongues.  Spanish is the predominant language among the commercial classes.  Major-General Sir John Inglis (the hero of Lucknow), of the English army, Governor of Corfu, having arrived on his way to the Ionian Islands, visited us to-day to see our ship, which he was kind enough to say had become “quite distinguished.”