320 MARITIME OBSERVATIONS. 
that when you come to fea, you have the mortification to» 
recollect points of bufinefs that ought to have been done,. 
accounts you had intended to fettle, and conveniencies you 
had propofed to bring with you, &c. &c. all which have: 
been omitted through the effe& of thefe officious friendly 
vifits. Would it not be well if this cuftom could be chang-- 
ed; if the voyager after having, without interruption,. 
made all his preparations, fhould ufe fome of the time he: 
has left, in going himfelf to take leave of his friends at 
their own houfes, and let them come to congratulate him: 
on his happy return. 
It is not always in your power to make a choice in your: 
captain, though much of your comfort in the paflage may 
depend on his perfonal character, as you mutt for fo long: 
a time be confined to his company, and under his direc- 
tion; if he be a-fenfible, fociable, good natured, obliging. 
man, you will be fo much the happier. Such there are; 
but if he happens to be otherwife, and is only fkilful,, 
careful, watchful and- ative in the conduc of his fhip,. 
excufe the reft, for thefe are the efflentials. 
Whatever right you may have by agreement in the mafs 
of ftores laid in by him for the paflengers, it is good to 
have fome particular things in your own poffeffion, fo as 
to be always at your own command. 
1. Good water, that of the fhip being often bad. You: 
can be fure of having it good only by bottling it from a: 
clear {pring or well and in clean bottles. 2. Good tea. 
3. Coffee ground. 4. Chocolate. 5. Wine of the fort 
you particularly like, and cyder.. 6. Raifins. 7. Almonds 
ea g. Capillaire. 10. Lemons. 11. Jamaica fpirits, 
. Eggs greas’d. 13. Diet bread. 14. Portable foup.. 
‘ie Rufks. As to fowls, it is not worth while to have 
any called yours, unlefs you could have the feeding and 
managing of them according to your own judgment under 
your own eye. As they are generally treated at prefent 
in fhips, they are for the moft part fick, and their flefh 
tough 
