Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 158]
of the rising sun. They are the highest in Spain, not excepting the Pyrenees the highest peak, Mula haten being 11,420 feet in height. Towards the south was the African coasts rugged in the extreme, but not high enough for snow. New years day was celebrated by sports, and at night a concert on board. The Sisters showed as Brittania and her daughters. Father Time was represented also a Javanese a Hindu and a number of ladies of questionable character. On the 2nd we passed Malta, and on the 3rd Cordia or Crete, a very rugged looking island. The 2nd was Payday. Oh! how some longed for payday. That glorious Mecca of the broke, the pay office, was crowded all afternoon. The day before the vendor of "house" cards yelled himself hoarse and all to no purpose. But on the evening of the 2nd he had "clicked". Yea! his riches were so manifold, that others were constrained to set up in opposition with various other devices for raking ye silver shekels in, and verily they did succeed and trade flourished greatly; even so that many were broke in the even, if not broke very badly bent. The Queensland Government has sent around proclomations of what it has to offer the returned soldier in land facilities and many of the more serious minded are studying them with a view, as to their worth. Most of the Blocks are small; but are suitable for Pineapples etc. Pity the other states did not do the same, and let one know where they stand. This ship is a quieter one than the one I came over on. Some of them have been quietened in France. Old St Paul sailed these seas, and according to his accounts the sea was terribly rough to their cockle shell boats. I dont know how they would have got on in the Atlantic, for a wind that only ruffles the surface of the Meditteranean would