Hello List Frances said: Has anyone on the list ever come across an account, diary, memoir, even a historical novel, that describes what people did during those long voyages? I am particularly interested in the period 1790-1810, and to be very precise, would like to know what children did on their way to England to pass the time. But any tip will be useful. The FIBIS Fibiwiki page Society Reading List http://wiki.fibis.org/index.php?title=Society_reading_list , section Women and Children details a book called Children of the Raj by Vyvyen Brendon 2006, although it may cover a later period than Frances is interested in. I have not read this book myself, but this link http://www.shelfari.com/books/1269733/Children-of-the-Raj does mention sea voyages: Drawing on memoirs, journals, and oral testimonies, Children of the Raj conjures up the brilliant scenes and exotic atmosphere of the Indian Raj through the rich narratives of the children themselves. Here, too, are accounts of journeys across perilous seas and the heartache of long family separations, as children were banished to chilly British boarding schools and grim holiday homes. Cheers Maureen (Sydney)