November 18.—­Still we are gliding along the coast of Africa, with a steady and unruffled gale; the weather delicious.  Talk of an island of wild goats, by name Golita; this species of deer-park is free to every one for shooting upon—­belongs probably to the Algerines or Tunisians, whom circumstances do not permit to be very scrupulous in asserting their right of dominion; but Dr. Liddell has himself been present at a grand chasse of the goats, so the thing is true.

The wild sinuosities of the land make us each moment look to see a body of Arabian cavalry wheel at full gallop out of one of these valleys, scour along the beach, and disappear up some other recess of the hills.  In fact we see a few herds, but a red cow is the most formidable monster we have seen.

A general day of exercise on board, as well great guns as small arms.  It was very entertaining to see the men take to their quarters with the unanimity of an individual.  The marines shot a target to pieces, the boarders scoured away to take their position on the yards with cutlass and pistol.  The exhibition continued two hours, and was loud enough to have alarmed the shores, where the Algerines might, if they had thought fit, have imputed the firing to an opportune quarrel between the French and British, and have shouted “Allah Kerim”—­God is merciful!  This was the Dey’s remark when he heard that Charles X. was dethroned by the Parisians.

We are near an African Cape called Bugiaroni, where, in the last war, the Toulon fleet used to trade for cattle.

November 19.—­Wind favourable during night, dies away in the morning, and blows in flurries rather contrary.  The steamboat packet, which left Portsmouth at the same time with us, passes us about seven o’clock, and will reach a day or two before us.  We are now off the coast of Tunis:  not so high and rocky as that of Algiers, and apparently much more richly cultivated.  A space of considerable length along shore, between a conical hill called Mount Baluty and Cape Bon, which we passed last night, is occupied by the French as a coral fishery.  They drop heavy shot by lines on the coral rocks and break off fragments which they fish up with nets.  The Algerines, seizing about 200 Neapolitans thus employed gave rise to the bombardment of their town by Lord Exmouth.  All this coast is picturesquely covered with enclosures and buildings and is now clothed with squally weather.  One hill has a smoky umbrella displayed over its peak, which is very like a volcano—­many islets and rocks bearing the Italian names of sisters, brothers, dogs, and suchlike epithets.  The view is very striking, with varying rays of light and of shade mingling and changing as the wind rises and falls.  About one o’clock we pass the situation of ancient Carthage, but saw no ruins, though such are said to exist.  A good deal of talk about two ancient lakes called——­; I knew the name, but little more.  We passed in the evening two rocky islands, or skerries, rising straight out of the water, called Gli Fratelli or The Brothers.