ient for me, as my bed was not the softest in the world, for as I
had not brought one with me, I was obliged to lie upon an old sail, with
a bag of clothes for a pillow: however, I have no desire to consider
comforts, when I am travelling, lest feather-bed indulgences, and
luxurious appointments, should divert my attention from more useful
objects. The latitude at noon to-day, was 1 deg. 36'. N, and longitude,
16 deg. 28'. W. by the Eden's calculation (the correctness of which I
might venture to swear by, for no ship ever kept a better), being 1 deg.
27'. E. of the galliot's reckoning.

_Thursday, 3_.--Still a fresh S.E. trade-wind, which enabled us to go a
point free, (S.W. by S.) Noon, lat. 0 deg. 14'. S. lon. 17 deg. 29'. W.
Having crossed the equinoctial line this forenoon, I have passed it for
the third time, in as many distinct voyages, within a fortnight, namely,

1st. From Prince's Island, to Ascension.

2nd. From Ascension towards Sierra Leone.

3rd. From on board the Eden, on her way to Sierra Leone, more than 2 deg.
north of the line, to Rio de Janeiro.

There being no one on board the galliot, who had ever crossed the
equinoctial line before, except the chief mate, Mr. Fearon, and myself,
the usual ceremony of shaving, &c. was dispensed with, but to prevent
the circumstance passing entirely uncommemorated, Mr. Fearon presented
us with some champagne, as an oblation to Neptune and his spouse,
Amphitrite. About sunset, seven flying-fish fell on board, which we had
for supper, and found them very delicious.

_Friday, 4_.--Still a moderate S.E. trade, lat. 1 deg. 56'. S. lon. 18
deg. 16'. W. Our mode of living is as follows:--Between six and seven
in the morning, a cup of coffee is brought to us; at half-past seven, the
whole crew assemble in the cabin to prayers; immediately after which, we
all go to breakfast, ours in the cabin, consisting of boiled barley, of
which the captain and his mates partake freely, mixing with each
portion, a large table spoonful of butter; this is followed by tea, cold
meat, and biscuit, and concluded with well buttered biscuits and cheese.
At eleven, coffee again; and so soon after noon as the ship's place is
ascertained by the reckoning, a glass of wine is presented to each
person,[50] followed by dinner. At half-past three, tea; and at six, tea
again, but combined with supper. At half-past seven, the crew again
assemble to prayers; after which, all not employed on watch, reti