number, and one which left me no chance of profit. The fact is, these divisions are reckoned from noon to noon, so that there are night as well as day quarters; and as it is very seldom that ships venture close in in the dark, the chance of a pilot coming on board then is very small. However, I easily consoled myself. Going down into the saloon, I saw a lecture announced. The Utah missionary was going to hold a meeting on Mormonism; a good opportunity for those wishing to initiate themselves in the mysteries of the City of Saints; besides, this Elder, Mr. Hatch, was an orator of no mean power. The execution could not fail to be worthy of the work. The announcement of the conference was received very favourably by the passengers.
The observation posted up was as follows:—
Lat. 42° 32′ N.
Long. 51° 59′ W.
Course, 254 miles.
About three o'clock in the afternoon the steersman signaled a large four-mast steamer, which slightly changed its course, in order to give the "Great Eastern" its number. It was the "Atlanta," one of the largest boats running between London and New York, calling at Brest on the way. After having saluted us, which we returned, in a short time she was out of sight.
At this moment Dean Pitferge, in a vexed tone,
