November 4th, Friday
S.S.Egypt. We are in the Straits of Bonifacio.
(The Egypt was launched in 1897, so was a new ship for the India route)
I am actually on my way to India. In Town we had a busy but ripping time. Monday evening we went to “When A Man’s in Love”, a good cast but too much of a melodrama, and on Tuesday we went to that ripping piece, “Lord and Lady Algy” and dined at the Dieudonné. The next day we started off to catch the 9 o’clock at Charing Cross but missed it but afterwards were glad as we heard that when the passengers got to Dover they were told it was too rough to cross so had to either come on to Folkstone or wait until one o’clock. We crossed at Folkstone and I don’t think I have ever had a worse crossing. It was too rough to go outside so we were all boxed up together in the saloon, the noises were better imagined, bears and cats weren’t in it. I felt ill until we got to Marseilles. We had a comfortable journey from Paris and I slept. We did the sights and came on board. Luckily I have two very nice ladies in my cabin and manage quite comfortably.
Nov 5th, Saturday. Mediterranean.
Thank goodness we have gorgeous weather and I am sitting on deck. I felt such a brute last night and almost left the table! We are just passing Stromboli which is working quit well. We passed through the Straits of Messina today and everybody went up to the end of the ship and looked at the little towns on either side, it was simply lovely, the sea was a brilliant blue and the houses were red and yellow. There was a wind blowing and one lady whilst looking was standing with her skirt and jacket in anything but elegant positions whilst her hair was floating out behind her to the extent of three feet! I saw a man come behind her and deliberately Kodak her! Too rich for words!
Nov 6th
have been to service in the saloon. Heaps of people and it was really quite nice.
Nov 7th, Monday
This is the most perfect day, the water is just like oil and the sea is the very intensest blue and everybody is lying about on deck in various attitudes of torpor. Yesterday I made the acquaintance of a Major Jackson and a Mr Adams. The former sits at our table and is in the artillery, a very good sort I think, fair and quiet. The other is a merchant in Calcutta, dark and clever and plenty to say for himself. There are three men on board whom we call “The Trio”. They rejoice in the names of Toomey, Baller and Burton and are going to the Mozufferpore district planting. One came out this morning in an eggshell blue shirt, brick coloured tie and canary yellow waistcoat! I don’ think that he’ll wear much in that line on Jillah or anywhere else in factory!
Nov 8th
We reached Port Said at 10 and from the outside it looked very pretty but as soon as we approached we saw what a really filthy hole it was. There is only one main street and that is lined with shops, filled with hawkers of all possible kinds who teaze one to death. All along donkeys rejoicing in the names of Mrs Langtry or the Bishop of Bombay stand at every corner and their owners rush out addressing one by the names of Mackenzie or Ferguson! We went to the “Eastern Exchange” and secured a table for our lunch, after which we went to Simon Artz and bought 1000 cigs and I got some fans, a parasol etc for my Jap dress which I am to wear at the fancy dress ball. We watched cricket all afternoon, “The Egyptians” versus Port Said. I have not heard who won.
Nov 9th
We have been going through the Canal all day, what a weird deserted place it is, nothing but sand for miles and miles. After lunch I sat with Major Jackson, he is an excellent good sort, very quiet and wants a good deal of drawing.
Nov 10th, Red Sea
The heat is groiling. I have got white clothes on today and would be doing without even them!
Nov 10th, Friday
Last night we had a huge concert and Mr Dolby conjured for us. One trick he did was particularly neat. He produced a glass of sherry and three caps. He got a man to drink the sherry and asked him which of the caps he would like it found under, so he pointed to one and Mr Dolby said “certainly” and put the cap on the man’s head! I was sitting with Major Jackson who I thought was going to have hysterics. I have got my white skirt filthy and wanted to change but Mrs Gore is still dressing and has her maid in there so it is impossible to get in.