er and fair winds, and got quite
clear of land; after this, we had nearly six weeks of most tempestuous
weather, and the wind, except for about two days, directly against us.
The gentlemen after some time began to be very impatient; for my part
I should not have cared although it had lasted twelve months. I had
left all that was dear to me behind, except one dear friend, that one
was constantly with me, and although the rest of the company in the
ship was very agreeable, yet I was the great object of his attention,
and his invention was ever on the stretch to find amusement for me. It
is not possible for me to say with what indulgent tenderness I was
treated; but though I love my husband even to extravagance, yet my
dear friends whom I left behind have a large share of my heart. They
dwell on my mind in the daytime; and at night, when sleep lays the
body aside and leaves the soul at liberty, she on the wings of
imagination makes one skip over whole seas, and is immediately with
those dear friends whose absence she so much lamented during the day,
and in an imaginary body as truly enjoys you for the time as if really
present with you.

"The gentlemen on board soon found reason to be thankful for the
preservation of life, and got something very different to think of
than fret at the contrary winds. A leak sprung in the ship, which
alarmed them all so much that a consultation was held among them
whether if any ship came near they should hail it and go on board
wherever she was bound. I was perfectly unconcerned about the whole
matter, not being aware of the danger, which was kept secret from me
till we came on shore. I saw the men constantly pumping, but thought
it was what they were obliged to do in every ship. After coming to
land, on examining the ship, they found the leak to be so large that
one might put his five fingers into it; indeed, it seemed next to a
miracle that she kept above water; but every day of our lives may
convince us what dependent creatures we are. While God's merciful
providence protects us we are safe, though in the midst of apparent
danger; should he withdraw that protection but for a moment,
inevitable evils surround us, even when we think ourselves in
perfect safety.

"A proof of this we had in a most distressing event, which took
place about six weeks after we left Greenock. The wind was in our
favor, the day was fine, and we were all amusing ourselves on deck in
various ways, when