be no great Danger as
long as we had a flowing Tyde, and that it did not blow a Storm: Had the
Water been ebbing and a Storm ensu'd upon it, 'tis probable our Ship,
being none of the strongest, might have been beaten to Pieces among
those Sands. However, I step'd upon Deck to see how Things went; there
was a profound Silence every where, the Passengers were scatter'd here
and there looking one at another, but not speaking a Word; the Master
was walking with his Arms across without Fear, but not without Concern
in his Countenance: I ask'd him how he came to be mistaken in the Tyde?
he answer'd, Accidents would happen'd sometimes, but there was no
Danger. Then running on in a Strain of Sailors Cant, he said, God was at
Sea as well as at Land, that the Lord wou'd protect 'em if they did but
put their Trust in him, and love him as they ought. In the middle of
this moral Lesson, the Ship was gently wafted off the Sands by the Tyde,
and Sails being abroad spread, the Ship sail'd merrily along. 'Twas
surprizing to observe the Alteration in every bodies Countenance; the
Women began to Laugh and Giggle; the Men began to rally one another for
want of Courage; the Sailors began to raise their Note higher and
higher, and the Master of the Ship turn'd his Sermon into a Volley of
Oaths and Curses against his Crew; and thus in an instant, from a
profound Silence we recover'd our selves again to Noise and Hurry. That
Day brought us to _Gravesend_, where we took Boat, and so arriv'd safe
at _London_, though I was not very well pleas'd with those small Boats
People usually pass in from _Gravesend_ to _London_, for I understood
they were often Overset by sudden Gusts of Wind which blow from the
Shoar.

_London_ is a Place above my Description, and though I lost no Time the
six Months I remain'd there, to view what Curiosities were to be seen,
yet 'tis probable many Things worthy of Observation escaped my
Diligence. I took a particular care not to make my self Public, but
pass'd at my Lodgings under Disguise of a Merchant, yet abroad I acted
the Marquess, not to be depriv'd of the Means of introducing my self
into the best of Company. I found they were much divided in _England_ as
to the _French_ Politicks; some were of Opinion that _Lewis_ XIV was
serious in King _James_'s Cause, but these were Persons who had no
Notion of Foreign Affairs, and judg'd of Matters according to their
first Appearance; for others who had studied the Interest o