volving light appearing once in two minutes. By this difference sailors know them, coming from what quarter they may. It was a pleasant morning. I went below took a nap, and between five and six went on deck again. Wind shifted to S. W. blowing fresh. After family worship and breakfast, my wife went on deck with me. We could still perceive the Islands of Isley and Jura, though nearly out of sight, and we getting into the great Atlantic about to lose sight of Europe. For the moment the thought was solemely affecting. While we were at dinner one called down, informing us that whales were to be seen. Several ran up but they were gone out of sight. Wind increased to almost a gale; some of the passengers got sick. In the afternoon my little boy coming down the ladder* steps, fell nearly from top to bottom; we took him up, found no bone broken; but his chin and one knee bruised a little we applied some medicine, and put him to bed. He fell asleep, and soon got well. Through the heavy roll of sea the vessel made a great motion. The sudden change of wind, agitates the water greatly. About nine at night the vessel went easier, and almost upright. I went on deck, and found the wind fair for our course, and abated in its fury. The captain informed me that in three hours time the vessel would go easier : as the wind blowing one way would smooth the water; and so it proved. 9th. In the night it rained, and the wind rose higher. It was a grand sight, to see the vessel, as it were bounding over mountains, and through vallies of water; and a subject for meditation, on the infinite wisdom of God, so fitting one substance to another, that such a great weight as the vessel and cargo, should glide over the bosom of the ocean, when a pin would sink in it; and though passing over such mighty waves, or as it were climbing mountains, we were supposed to be going ten or twelve miles an hour. As I am writing in great measure for the information of travellers, it is hoped that the reader will excuse me in being sometimes particular in detail; and now, when I say it would be well to be very careful in going up and down the ladder, especially when the vessel rolls. B 10th. A fine morning. In the day we saw a beautiful white-bird on the mast head, about the size of a halfgrown pigeon. It was thought we were then about six hundred miles from any land: Strange it should fly so far. I believe no one on board attempted to hurt the poor little creature. Lord's-day 11th. The wind shifted nearly west; cloudy weather, and cold strong wind. The mariners now had to tack for the first time since we got into the Atlantic, having ran nearly a week in one course. We held a meeting in our apartment. In the evening Philip Buckthought read part of Dr. Clarke's sermon on 2 Sam. xiv. 14. We must needs die and are as water spilled on the ground, &c. 12th. We saw many Porpoises; one of which the sailors caught. It appeared to be greatly convulsed in dying truly we may say, The whole creation groaneth and travelleth in pain together, through man's sin. 13th. Shaping our course N. N. W. The captain told me, that in smooth water he can sail on six points of the compass ! 14th. Read the astonishing account of Mary Velnet, a native of Italy, and seven years a slave in Tripoli. 15th. The first mate finding his hand and leg healing, brought down one of the seamen who had been confined to his birth, with a sore leg, desiring me to take it in hand. Three of the passengers, also applied for medicine, when they found there was some on board. 17th. Wind shifted nearly North, followed by a great roll of sea. Lord's-day 18th. Philip Buckthought began a Sunday School for the children. In the afternoon we held a meeting in our apartments. Towards evening the wind increased till it blew a gale. 19th. The water presented an awfully grand appearance, as the wind skimmed over it, rippling it like smoke, or snow, before the wind in a stormy day. But it was gloomy to see the sails all reefed, execpt the stay sail,the head of the vessel against the wind like a weathercock, as she lay to, in order to weather the storm. Our family joined in prayer. About six o'clock, soon after prayer-meeting, the wind ceased. A singular circumstance occurred in the day. One of my daughters being on deck, the violence of the wind broke the string of her bonnet and blew it overboard, when a sudden whirl caught it, and blew it on deck, where she recovered it. On measuring our deck, I found it 130 feet by 28. and being kept in neat order, we had fine room to walk. 20th. After breakfast we went on deck. It was now a pleasant sight to behold the sun shining on the water, and our vessel bounding over hill and dale, though solemn to consider only seas and skies around us,-a plank between us and the great deep. My son fell again from the top of the ladder steps with a knife in his hand, without any hurt or complaint, except a little soreness on his head; being marvellously preserved by Him who says, The hairs of your head are all numbered. I read a tract taken from Le Beaume, "On the horrors of war." He was an officer in the French army when they went to Russia, and survived the retreat. The account which he gives of the distress of both French and Russians, is appalling. Mr. Denny's and James Richmond's legs, were nearly whole. The latter able to attend his duty; and by doing some little services for us, seemed to study how to make an acknowledgment, though he needed not, as the captain did not forget it. However, gratitude, that rare plant, is pleasing to behold in another, as well as to feel it in one's own bosom. 23rd. Weather foggy. The sailors say it is generally so on the banks of Newfoundland. One of the passengers came to shew himself cured; as is also the mate's leg. Weather has been rough: but about noon it ceased a little. Lord's-day 25th. A fine morning; the weather being moderate. In the afternoon we had preaching on deck. The Captain had seats prepared, and all the mariners I believe, except the man at the helm, and most of the passengers attended. I expounded on Psalm cvii. At night the sailors shortened sail, and prepared for a storm; the wind west and threatening for rain and wind. 26th. I went early on deck; a fine morning. The captain said he never saw so quick a change. In the night it was rain and wind, and they expected heavy weather but soon after midnight the rain ceased, wind abated, and the water smoothed. God is a prayer answering God. He has the wind and waves at His command. About noon my son being too hasty in coming down the steps, fell again to the bottom before any one of us could save him; but was preserved by an unseen hand. Some by less falls have broken their bones, and probably others have lost their lives. To God be the praise for His preserving mercy. Our God is the God of salvation. 27th. One of the passengers lent me the travels of Mr. Campbell, an English Missionary in Africa. We were got into the Gulf-stream, a stream of warm water, which is thought to proceed from the Gulf of Florida and runs across the Atlantic, always warm. How wonderful are the works of God. 30th. The weather much warmer; temperature of the air by the Thermometer 76. I finished reading Camp, bell's travels. He mentions a curious experiment which they tried on his returning to England. At the west of Morocco, they corked an empty glass bottle so tight, that only one half of the cork was in the neck of the bottle, and tied it with a cord; then with a lead weight let it down about fifty fathom. When they drew it up, the bottle was full of water, and cork in its place. This day we saw some of Mother Cary's chicken. * ments. 3rd. Tried the water by the Thermometer, and found it 63. air 65. about eleven degrees colder than on Thursday last. Before twelve tried again the temperature of the water, and found it 49. We thought we were on the lower end of the Banks of Newfoundland, as the water A great number of small birds, which sailor's call Mother Cary's chicken; flock together, and are continually flying a little above the surface of the water, they are never seen to rest, and are hundreds of miles from land, some of them about the middle of the Atlantic. appeared greener, which is considered as being shallower than when it looks blue. colder and damper, than some days ago. a proof of its The air was 4th. The Captain informed me we were the American side of the Banks. 7th. In Lat. 41. Long. 62 degrees, water 62. air 63. we have passed various climes. Mother Cary's chicken still flying over the surface of the water; but are never seen to rest on it; nor could the Captain or sailors, say where they breed, nor how they feed; and are always there, winter and summer. 8th. Wind towards N. W. one of the sailors predicted to-morrow it would be easterly wind. 9th. Lord's-day. Wind E. according to the man's prediction. We had worship in our apartments. In the evening walked on deck. A fine evening, and it seemed as if we were out a pleasuring, the place, weather, and company being so agreeable. Before bed-time we had reading and prayer for all who would attend. After evening worship some went on deck, being so delighted with the beauty of the night, which was something like a Midsummer night in England. The wake was beautiful, something like a stream of milk. Several of the passengers went on the poop to view it. 10th. The morning much like a June morning in England; warm with a thin mist. After dinner some hands were ordered to clean the ship, preparing to enter port This was somewhat cheering; and how much more cheering to the Christian, is the prospect of entering the port of glory. In the afternoon we were becalmed, and there was a great roll in the sea. At once the sea became almost as smooth as a sea of oil, and a thick fog came on. In the evening it cleared off. We saw a sea hen, of drab colour, and beautiful plumage. One thing is very remarkable in this latitude, which I never saw in any sea before; that is, by day, as well as by night, we saw something like sparks of light in the water, of a fine clear bluish colour, shining brilliantly. We could see, by looking over the ship's side, hundreds |