Monday, May 21st.—­Rough and disagreeable.  Off Viana at noon.  Passed Oporto and Vigo in the course of the afternoon.

Tuesday, May 22nd.—­If yesterday was bad, to-day was worse.  We hove to for some time under the shelter of Cape Finisterre, then went on again for a short distance; but at 1.30 a.m. on the 23rd we were obliged to put round and wait for daylight.

Wednesday, 23rd, and Thursday, 24th.—­In the course of the day the weather mended, though the sea still continued rough, and our course was really in the direction of America rather than England.  In the evening of the 24th we were able to light fires, and, with the assistance of steam, to keep nearly on our proper course.

Saturday, May 26th.—­Saw the first English land, the Start, at 2.30 a.m.  Wind continued fresh and fair, but at noon dropped calm, and we had to steam through the Needles instead of sailing, as we had done on our way out.  We reached Cowes about 3 p.m., and were immediately welcomed by several yachts, who dipped their ensigns and fired their guns.  We landed, and were warmly greeted by many friends, and, after sending off telegrams and letters, re-embarked and proceeded towards Hastings.  We were anxious to land by daylight, but this was not to be.  So it turned out to be midnight before we reached Beachy Head and could discern the lights of Hastings shining in the distance.  As we drew near to our anchorage we could see two boats coming swiftly towards us from the shore.  The crews were members of the Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers, and as they came alongside they raised a shout of welcome.  Hastings had been expecting us all the afternoon, and late as was the hour, 1.30 a.m., we were immediately surrounded by a fleet of boats, and many willing hands seized our heterogeneous cargo and multitudinous packages, and before daylight all had been safely landed on the pier.  We committed ourselves to the care of the R.N.A.V., and landed in their boats, and at 4.30, proceeding to the Queen’s Hotel, we had a joyous meeting with T.A.B. and Maud.

[Illustration:  Our Welcome back off Hastings.]

How can I describe the warm greetings that met us everywhere, or the crowd that surrounded us, not only when we landed, but as we came out of church; how, along the whole ten miles from Hastings to Battle, people were standing by the roadside and at their cottage doors to welcome us; how the Battle bell-ringers never stopped ringing except during service time; or how the warmest of welcomes ended our delightful year of travel and made us feel we were home at last, with thankful hearts for the providential care which had watched over us whithersoever we roamed?

    I travell’d among unknown men,
      In lands beyond the sea,
    Nor, England! did I know till then
      What love I bore to thee.

[Illustration:  Home at Last.]

APPENDIX.