J77«^- ROUND THE WORLD. C &3 



teen leagues, we were not more than one league from 

 the west end. 1 now edged away for the north side, 

 with a view of ranging the coast to the eastern point, 

 in order to ascertain the length of the island; but 

 the weather coming on very thick and hazy, and 

 night approaching, I gave up the design, and pro- 

 ceeded with all expedition for England. 



On the 29th, we made the land near Plymouth. 

 The next morning, we anchored at Spithead ; and 

 the same day, I landed at Portsmouth, and set out for 

 London, in company with Messrs. Wales, Forsters, 

 and Hodges. 



Having been absent from England three years and 

 eighteen days, in which time, and under all changes 

 of climate, I lost but four men, and only one of them 

 by sickness, it may not be amiss, at the conclusion of 

 this journal, to enumerate the several causes to which, 

 under the care of Providence, I conceive, this un- 

 common good state of health experienced by my peo- 

 ple was owing. 



In the Introduction, mention has been made of 

 the extraordinary attention paid by the Admiralty, in 

 causing such articles to be put on board as, either 

 from experience or suggestion, it was judged would 

 tend to preserve the health of the seamen. I shall 

 not trespass upon the reader's time in mentioning 

 them all, but confine myself to such as were found 

 the most useful. 



We were furnished with a quantity of malt, of 

 which was made Sweet Wort. To such of the men as 

 showed the least symptoms of the scurvy ; and also 

 to such as were thought to be threatened with that 

 disorder, this was given from one to two or three 

 pints a day each man ; or in such proportion as the 

 surgeon found necessary, which sometimes amounted 

 to three quarts. This is, without doubt, one of the best 

 antiscorbutic sea medicines yet discovered : and, if 

 used in time, will, with proper attention to other things, 



s 4 



