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DID think that when, leaving a balance of a few hundreds in the hands of my long-suffering bank-manager, I went for a tour in the Royal Mail boat Dorsetshire to China and Japan I should be free of matters medical, and also clear of financial difficulties necessitating risky coups. But no. "Adventures to the adventurous."

Indeed, when I arrived home I had paid my somewhat extravagant expenses and was an extra fifteen hundred in hand.

I was very happy on board for the first six weeks. The ship, although not large, was comfortable, the majority of the officers were good fellows, and passengers were few.

Nothing is so delightful to the busy man, if he is a decent sailor and not in search of constant and varied excitement, as a long sea voyage. The absence of the postman is,