18 INTRODUCTION. 



tion which will convey to relatives at home some 

 just idea of the toils and privations of those 

 loved ones who are ploughing the trackless ocean. 

 The young men, who are looking forward to a 

 life on the ocean wave, will read the following 

 narrative with eagerness and delight. Their 

 ardent temperament and roving disposition have 

 pictured in fancy's halls bright scenes on the 

 briny deep. Such will find in this work a true 

 view of a mariner's life, accompanied with valu- 

 able counsels. 



It is neither, as I judge, the tendency nor the 

 design of the book, to deter any from a seafaring 

 life that love adventure, and believe there is no 

 royal road to fortune. To employ a nautical 

 phrase, " None need expect to creep in by the 

 cabin windows ; all must crawl through the haw- 

 ser hole." He must endure hardship and priva- 

 tion before he can enjoy promotion. Young 

 men of sound health, steady purpose, moral cour- 

 age, and trustworthiness, will, by the blessing of 

 Providence, be sure of promotion. If, however, 

 these qualities are lacking in a young man, the 

 discovery is generally made during his first voy- 

 age. His reputation, good or bad, will reach 

 home long before the ship returns to port. Own- 

 ers and agents know what is in him, and what 

 may be expected from him in future. If he 



