Inside Sebastopol

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1856. Excerpt: ... DIARY OF A JOURNEY TO THE RUINS OF SEBASTOPOL CHAPTER I. THE LOG OF THE LINDSAY.--GRAVESEND TO GIBRALTAR. On Saturday, the llth August 1855, I was vaguely reckoning up the prospects of the partridge shooting when my servant put into my hands a sealed letter, having Telegraphic Despatch printed on the cover. I tore it open and read-- Can you start to-night? I have arranged passage to Balaklava. If so, come down to Gravesend by next train. Why should I go to Balaklava V I never asked myself so foolish a question. To throw the postjentacular cigar into the grate--to toss my dressinggown into a corner of the room--to give general directions to the half-expostulating attendant to pack--to run off to Edmonson's for a cork mattress with an air-pillow, which I secured at the cost of fourteen shillings and sixpence--to invoke the exertions of ray aged but athletic housekeeper--to stuff a portmanteau and three carpet-bags with shirts and socks, and summer and winter garments--to see that all the various bottles in my dressing-case bag were full--to lock, to strap, and to pile all together--and to look triumphantly upon my accomplished preparations, --all this was the work of three hours, from the moment of receiving the electrical warning in my chambers in the Albany, or the Temple, or the remote magnificence of Victoria Street--choose which locality you please, gentle reader--but I fear it is of no consequence to you where those modest chambers are. Moreover, I had written half a dozen P.P.C. letters, and had dropped in en passant at the Commercial Bank, and obtained, in return for a scratch of the pen--triumph of civilization!--sixty sovereigns in a little canvas bag. Bachelorhood has its woes, and they are probably the heavier because the unhappy sufferers...