Monday, January 27th.—­A general exodus of the shipping this morning out of the Straits, within which they had been detained some ten days by a head wind.  The English mail steamer from Southampton arrived.  Received from her a Times of the 20th, from which we learn that England had protested against the barbarity of blocking up the harbour of Charleston, by sinking a stone fleet.  We feel some anxiety for the safety of Messrs. Mason and Slidell, they having embarked on board the English gunboat Rinaldo, at Princetown, on the 2nd instant, and not having been heard of on the 10th, although bound to Halifax.  A heavy gale blew on the eve of their embarkation.

Tuesday, January 28th.—­Preparing the ship for sea, surveying machinery, and impatiently awaiting news from London.

Wednesday, January 29th.—­Visited the shore, and went to the Military Library and Reading Room, where I found the principal London journals.  Reported that the English Government will consult Parliament about recognising us.  Took a long stroll to the east end of the Rock—­exceedingly broken and picturesque.  Came upon a Moorish burying-ground, looking out upon Africa.  Some of the marble slabs had become almost disintegrated by the weather, so old were they.  What a history of human affections, hopes, aspirations, tribulations, and disappointments lay buried here!  New works, adding additional strength to this renowned fortress, are still going on. * * * *

Thursday, January 30th.—­* * * * Visited, in company with Colonel Freemantle, the famous fortifications, passing through the galleries—­three tiers, one above the other—­in the north end of the Rock.  These are huge tunnels, extending from a third to half a mile, with embrasures from space to space for cannon—­the solid Rock forming the casemates.  From these galleries we emerged out on a narrow footway cut in the rock, and stood perpendicularly over the sea breaking at our feet, and had a fine view of the N.E. face of the Rock rising in a magnificent mass some 1500 feet.  From this point a tower, called the Queen of Spain’s Chair, was pointed out to me—­on the height opposite, to the northward.  The legend connected with which is, that during one of the sieges of 1752, the Queen of Spain came to this eminence to witness the assault and capture of the place, and vowed she would not descend therefrom until the flag of Spain should wave from the Rock.  The assault failed, and the Queen in performance of her vow refused to descend, until the Governor of Gibraltar, hearing of the determination of her Majesty, sent her word that he would at a given hour hoist the Spanish ensign that she might descend.  This was done, and the Queen was rescued from her predicament without breaking her word.