July 23rd 1865

July 23rd - Cool and pleasant breeze: Boneta playing about the bows. Last night the shaving process ought to have taken place but it was judged expedient not to carry it out; Large porpoises were seen in a shoal; swell from the S. Lat 2.16 S, Long 18.55 W, bar 30 Ther 75, distance 175 miles.

Golden Fleece Gazette No 2 July 22nd 1865

No 2 July 22^nd 1865

To our subscribers: We regret to learn that some dissatisfaction has been expressed at the limited numbers of coppies of our journal issued last week, and we feel bound in justice to ourselves to offer a few words of explanation to those of our readers who were disappointed. Owing to an unfortunate oversight on the part of our manager, there was no paper provided with the rest of our apparatus and all that we have been able to collect on board will only just last us the voyage our publishing at the rate of 100 coppies a week and these we will endeavour to distribute among our subscribers so as to give satisfaction to all.

Has every one on board seariously reflected upon the fact that we have left the shores of Old England far behind us, and that the distance between us and home is rapidly increasing? Home, it is a small word, but what an immensity of meaning is embodied in it; what a firm hold it possesses over the heart of an Englishman; their is no link so strong; no tie so binding; no appeal so persuasive in gaining good will and esteem and cementing real friendship all over the world; what a powerful effect is has in influencing his career through life and his eventfull destiny. There is no other nation who feel in the same way upon this point as ourselves; indeed they have not even so much as a word in their language, (unless it be the Vader Land” of the Germans) to convey the full meaning of what contributes an Englishman’s home; and wether his lot has been cast amid the busy hum and crowded thoroughfare of a large tour, or the quiet solitude and peaceful seclusion of a country Village, wether his home has been hemmed in by smoke - begrimed chimneys of surrounded by fresh grassy meddows and richly wooded hills, whether his early youth has been passed in a castle or a college, the word home is a talisman which acts upon him as a sacred charm. These reflections were selected by our meeting and speaking with the homeward bound ship Emma Goodwin of Liverpool; the responsive cheers which burst forth on all sides as the Band of the Regiment struck up the National Anthem, followed by Home Sweet Home, plainly indicated how the recolections of all had wandered back to that happy little spot, and many an anxious eye strained to catch a last glimpse of her as she disappeared on the orizon; the bearer of our thoughts, hopes, and expectations to our nearest and dearest, our latest association with England. Whilst home recolections are still fresh in the memory of all on board, we think it may not be out of place to impress upon every one what an inestable boon, what an invaluable treasure is a Britons love of home, and to intreat him to guard it jealously and cherish it fondly during his sofourin in sunney India; a loadstove to keep him in a strait course a beacon to guide and direct him till he returns to the shores of his native land; always bearing in mind, that be it ever so humble “ there is no place like home”

Tossed on the wave with many an inward qualm

Of conscience? Not so: and my feeling of warm

With thought of her best loved? Not so again:

Tis not my heart, my stomack gives me pain.

Being on watch I open strive to keep

My eyes, I cannot succeed, I sit, I sleep

A blessed sleep, thou solace of all

The ills that hunt human lot do fall,

Accept my greatfull tribute, let me love thee,

All other love (at present far above me)

To sleep, to dream, hath sung the immortal song

And right he is, moreover it upon

A hearty dinner the result is dread,

Your favourite hobby site upon your head.

Bet horses, women, Wine on the nine muses,

If once your system to digest refuses,

Either your horse falls or you in the chase

Your love falls, would she only cut your face

Your wine is corked, Inelpomore repines

To find you with vague sense declines.

And to talk shop, my tragic muse she stoops,

Your minds reversed by weel about of troops,

I dined at four and now twas half past nine;

“Luid agas Musa?””Which is Muse of mine”

“What are you driving at? You’re not so vaine

As to conceive that with aught but disdain,

The reader can such paltry details treet

As when I slept or at what time did eat

Suffice it sleep I did and dreamt a dream.

The Dream will be given on page 27

The following lines were composed upon hearing an ill natural storey reported about an absentee:

Believe not each maligning tongue,

As spiteful fernales do

But still lets hope a storeys wrongs

Which ought not to be true

An Acrostic

Gone are the happyest scenes of our childhood,

On the vast ocean we now safely roam

Leaving the shores where dwells all that we hold good,

Dear and kind parents, and England our home.

E’en when duty issues her stern command

No power present nor daunt our brave hearts,

Does fly before us by sea and by land,

Life let us risk as we each play our parts.

Evergreens then will twine round our banners,

Each soldier knows what it is to offend,

Collect honours then in a true British manner,

England’s duty performed, with friends let life end.

The Lancers

I am a Lancer bold and gay,

as any Lancer of the day,

For to every noted place I go,

And end always keep it up you know

With the fair sex of Ipswich town

I’ve had my fair share of renown

For I was the Lion of the day

The reason why I will not say.

I’ve a fast friend who keeps a yacht

Another who a drag has got,

To whitehart feeds at Harwich, We

are often going on a Spree.

I’m an hansome dog as you must know,

and always welcome where I go.

And at the Opera oft I’m seen,

Beside, O such a Crinoline.

I’m off to India you must know

but a few more words before I go

I hope your pleasure will never sease

As I sail away in the Golden Fleece.

Our ship has sailed, I join again

The sixteenth Lancers Royal train

And come to India you will see,

No jovial fellows on the spree.

Dinah Kitty Anna Marid, The shape of your feet and ancles is a point upon which we decline to give an opinion. For shame, Gentlemen never take notice of such things.

Aspiring Adjutant. When right is in front, the pivot is right, of course a recruit would be as shamed not to know this.

Mrs Judith O Callagan. Pimples on the face may be removed with a spoke shave and freckles may be molified by a diligent use of sand paper.

Acoustant subscriber. The toothpick is intended for use and not for an ornament, this little weapon should be used in a stealthy and furtive manner and not with ostentatious displays.

Varieties

Thoroughly french. In all the large French Prisons they have a most ingenious device for keeping the Prisoner quiet at night and preventing the everlasting “claque” of that most loquacious nation. The plan t’is as follows, when they go to bed for the night an iron ring is fastened round the ancle of each Prisoner and they are made to lie down in an row, a long iron rod is then passed through the whole of these rings and connected with a crank at the end of the dormitory, by which they can at the slightest disturbance wind up the Prisoners and suspend them from the cealing by their heels. We need hardly say that there are seldom any disturbances.

Advertisement

The regimental Library will be open for changing books between the hours of 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 3 and 4 p.m.______

Left in the bath room on Monday last the 17^th instant two towels marked R.W.K. No. 659. Gentlemen using the bath rooms are requested to search their cloth bags for the missing articles, and if they found send them to the Chief steward.

Announcements

The Golden Fleece outstrips many a large provincial town:- we have our weekly papers, and our band, we have a music salloon, and the inimitable Sable brothers, we hear in addition that there is a limited liability company starting to erect a theatre, in fact contracts are out to supply the scenery. We heartily congratulate this company on their public spirit, and trust their enterprise will meet with every success._____

Jim Ducks, Falconer to the Golden Fleece, begs to announce to the public in General and Ladies in particular, that with permission he intends exhibiting very soon, his rare and valuable collection of poultry, Cochin, Dorking, Spanister and game. Also some splendid specimens of aquatic birds. He has spared no expense or trouble in securing a comfortable place for his friends and patrons . Price of admission - a quid of tabaco.

N.B to the lovers of the fancy. After the exhibition he will walk around and show his unrivalled collection of prizes consisting of Cups and trophys won by his Game Cock “Yankee Doodle”. He is also ready to back him for any amount to crow louder and oftener than any at 2 a.m. than any other bird on this ship.

July 22nd 1865

July 22^nd - Fine breeze and steady, Mr Bovil shot a porpoise this afternoon. Lat on the equator, Long, 17.6 W. Bar 30, Ther 75 distance 196 miles.

July 21st 1865

July 21^st - Ship steaming a good deal to the westward, breeze fresh towards evening and very cool, Lat 2.17N, Long 14.46W, Bar 30.1 Ther 75. Distance 182 miles.

July 20th 1865

July 20^th - The ship on the port tack, stopped steaming; A large number of black fish were seen early this morning, Sable brothers gave an entertainment. Lat 3.36 N, Long 11.41W, Bar 30.1, Ther 77. Dist 171 miles.

July 19th 1865

July 19^th - The weather has settled and the sea gone down; the wind remaining in the S; flying fish in quantities are seen; the band played this afternoon, Lat 5.14 N, Long 13.56 W, Bar 30, Ther 81 Distance 193 miles

July 18th 1865

July 18th Squally but dry; the winds strong from the S. with a head sea; still steaming; the Sable Minstrels performed on the Quarter Deck; Lat 7.12N, Long 16.30 W. Bar 30 Ther 82 - Distance 170 miles.