Uncle Tom and Jack came on board to breakfast, and we spent a jolly morning, in spite of the pouring rain.  I could never fancy taking a cruise alone in a yacht, especially without a crew, as two or three gentlemen have done; but nothing is more pleasant than sailing in company with another yacht, with a merry party on board each vessel, and exchanging visits, sometimes "mealing"--as Uncle Tom called it--on board the one, sometimes on board the other, as we always did when in harbour. At sea this, of course, could not be done, except in calm weather. Although Salcombe Range is rugged and wild in the extreme at its mouth, there are some beautiful country houses higher up the harbour; one belongs to the Earl of Devon, and another to Lord Kinsale.  So genial is the climate, that myrtles, magnolias, oleanders, and aloes grow in profusion, and fill the air with their fragrance.  Vines and all sorts of fruit-trees also flourish--the apple-tree especially yielding a rich crop.  We agreed that for a winter residence there could not be a more delightful spot in England.