The writer sailed from Arbroath at one a.m. in the Lighthouse yacht.  At seven the floating light was hailed, and all on board found to be well.  The crew were observed to have a very healthy-like appearance, and looked better than at the close of the works upon the rock.  They seemed only to regret one thing, which was the secession of their cook, Thomas Elliot—­not on account of his professional skill, but for his facetious and curious manner.  Elliot had something peculiar in his history, and was reported by his comrades to have seen better days.  He was, however, happy with his situation on board of the floating light, and, having a taste for music, dancing, and acting plays, he contributed much to the amusement of the ship’s company in their dreary abode during the winter months.  He had also recommended himself to their notice as a good shipkeeper, for as it did not answer Elliot to go often ashore, he had always given up his turn of leave to his neighbours.  At his own desire he was at length paid off, when he had a considerable balance of wages to receive, which he said would be sufficient to carry him to the West Indies, and he accordingly took leave of the Lighthouse service.

[Tuesday, 1st March]

At daybreak the Lighthouse yacht, attended by a boat from the floating light, again stood towards the Bell Rock.  The weather felt extremely cold this morning, the thermometer being at 34 degrees, with the wind at east, accompanied by occasional showers of snow, and the marine barometer indicated 29.80.  At half-past seven the sea ran with such force upon the rock that it seemed doubtful if a landing could be effected.  At half-past eight, when it was fairly above water, the writer took his place in the floating light’s boat with the artificers, while the yacht’s boat followed, according to the general rule of having two boats afloat in landing expeditions of this kind, that, in case of accident to one boat, the other might assist.  In several unsuccessful attempts the boats were beat back by the breach of the sea upon the rock.  On the eastern side it separated into two distinct waves, which came with a sweep round to the western side, where they met; and at the instance of their confluence the water rose in spray to a considerable height.  Watching what the sailors term a smooth, we caught a favourable opportunity, and in a very dexterous manner the boats were rowed between the two seas, and made a favourable landing at the western creek.

At the latter end of last season, as was formerly noticed, the beacon was painted white, and from the bleaching of the weather and the sprays of the sea the upper parts were kept clean; but within the range of the tide the principal beams were observed to be thickly coated with a green stuff, the conferva of botanists.  Notwithstanding the intrusion of these works, which had formerly banished the numerous seals that played about the rock, they were now seen in