1 September 1822
86
the brig fired no guns. Passed Tilbury Fort, just opposite to Gravesend, at 11 1/2. Here a grand salute from the fort, the military drawn up on the ramparts. However vain to attempt counting her guns - some heavy metal - a great many shots, the noise enough to deafen one. Gravesend 32 miles from London by water and 21 by land. From what they call Gravesend Windmill Hill, a most extensive and beautiful view along the river and rich surrounding country. A remarkably fine view that some of the passengers said everyone going to Gravesend should see. At 11 1/2 to our consternation a bolt broke, and the engine stopped. Stopping the engine so often as we had done not to pass the king on one account or other, was very apt to injure the small valves and stop them working. We had the box covering the top of the engine hoisted up in no time, fearing to be delayed we knew not how long, but Robert (vid.p.125) quick as lightning set to work and gave us hope again. Said the captain speaking of the engine "Robert can make her do anything" and absolutely this clever fellow set us off again in35 mins. In the bustle we had run foul of a buoy, but this was nothing, we were as well there as anywhere, and when our engine was set agoing again, requiring nothing but more care and more labour to stop her when necessary with hand-speaks or one contrivance or other to all which Robert was sufficient. We were off with all speed at 12 50/60 and came up again with the royal squadron a mile or 2 on this side of Woolwich, in time for all the grand saluting there from the Arsenal and artillery barracks, a fine range of buildings. The military drawn out and every place and especially the churchyard crowded with spectators, in fact all the beach lined as they walked alongside the river following us to Greenwich. Came up to the artillery barracks at Woolwich at 3 and to Greenwich at 4. (Surely Greenwich Hospital is very far superior over Hotel des Invalides at Paris). The royal yatch cast anchor on the side of the river opposite to the hospital and in 25mins. the king had got into the small boat, landed at the hospital, vanished amid the loud cheers of an immense crowd, and proceeded in his carriage immediately to town. Soldiers drawn up in front of the hospital, along the quay, the river crowded with boats. It seemed a miracle we did them no damage, that rammed with our prow, and hung round us on all sides. There would have been many more had the time of the king's arrival been more known. We passed a great many boats full of people rowing as fast as they could to come in for the sight, full of company that would not believe us they were too late. We made the best of our way. Landed at Tower Stairs at six and got to Webb's Hotel (220, the numbers have been altered, instead of 234) at about 7. Sat down to dinner a little before 8. Giblet soup, cold roast beef for my father, and a calf's face boiled, bottle of Vidonia, very fine wine. Got my journal book out about 9, but too sleepy to write and determined to go to bed. My tooth powder had worked out of the little tin box into my dressing box, and cleaning this etc. etc. kept me out of bed till 11. Marian and I a 2 bedded room. I had my dressing things brought into our sitting room which might detain me a little. Took 2 pills, not having been for four days. Between Woolwich and Greenwich close to the river, on our left, oposite to Blackwall, 3 gibbets standing at a little distance from each other, the first showing the remains of one man, the others the remains of 2 men each. They were Malays (sailors) executed perhaps 8 or 10 years ago for murdering their captain. Just after passing Woolwich the Lord Mayor with some of the principal city officers and some ladies came in his lordship's gingerbread state barge to meet his majesty. The royal yatch and the barge stopped a little distance right ahead of each other for a little while, the 2 bands playing. The Lord Mayor then turned about and led the way to Greenwich. The Times of this morning says "Just before the royal yatch reached Blackwall, the Lord Mayor in the City Barge towed by the Eagle, a Ramsgate steam packet, drew gently off into the centre of the river and taking the
