Address:
M^rs Flinders
7 Mary Street
        Fitzroy Square
                      London

                              N^o 2 Common Hard — Portsea
                                          May 15 (at 4 P.M.) 1812

My dear Love
      I did not reach Portsmouth until eleven
o'clock yesterday. I saw Sir R. Bickerton, who fixed upon the
Loire frigate, for making the experiments and sent for her com-
mander, captain Schomberg, to give him the necessary orders.
I then went with captain S. to the dockyard, where we saw Com-
missioner Grey, my friend Park, and M^r Payne, his assistant,
who is appointed to make the experiments. Arrangements be-
ing agreed upon with these gentlemen, I went to M^r Inman,
to talk concerning the instruments to be used.
      I dined with captain Schomberg, and slept at the
Crown Inn. This morning I breakfasted with M^r Park and
he came with me to this place to seek a lodging close to
the dockyard, and I fixed on this house, and have established
my head quarters here so long as I stay. The lodging is
very comfortable; but for two rooms I pay two guineas per
week. All this day nearly, I have been examining instru-
ments with M^r Inman; and am now returned home to write