372 MORAL EFFECT OF LETTERS FROM HOME. 



sen ting them to his friends and relatives. On arri- 

 ving at St. Helena, there was not a word or line from 

 home for him. I never saw a person so depressed ; 

 his trinkets were given away or sold, and he asserted 

 it as liis firm determination, when he did land in the 

 United States, not to go home. 



Mothers who wish to keep their sons in the path 

 of virtue, and sisters who cherish a brother's memory, 

 M'hen far away upon the sea, would do well to bear 

 this fact in mind, and be careful to write, so that at 

 every civilized port the object of their solicitude may 

 receive intelligence from home ; this, by a little in- 

 quiry at the outset of the voyage, can be easily 

 arranged. It does not make so much difference 

 about the reception of letters at sea, for there but 

 few temptations to the grosser paths of sin are expe- 

 rienced ; but "svhen, after a long and arduous cruise, 

 his ship enters port, he feels need of relaxation, and, 

 unless reminded of home and kindred, he easily falls 

 a prey to the wiles of the courtezan and the publican, 

 who are ever on the alert to entrap the unwary and 

 inexperienced. 



But it is time that I should return to my original 

 topic — the consideration of the Island of St. Helena 

 and its residents. ISTot having had opportunity to go 

 ashore mj'self, I must see it through the eyes of 

 others and describe it from tlieir lips. Here comes 

 the boat's crew^ ; it consists of six, who, although 

 dressed alike and of the same country, vastly differ 

 in sentiment. First, we will ask the less refined of 

 the lot — those two Avhose reckless, careless air, be- 

 speak them jovial, hearty fellows, ever ready for a 

 lark without thinking of or caring for consequences — 



