TO 



HUDSON'S BAY. 



ON Wednesday, June the 24th, about four o'clock in the 

 afternoon, we got under way, having on-board the Earl 

 of SELKIRK, Mr. EVERARD of Sligo, and a few other gentle- 

 men who had dined with us. At first it was our intention not 

 to proceed to sea that night, but merely to get clear of Sligo 

 Bay, "which cannot at all times be easily accomplished. About 

 six o'clock, however, the captain came down to inform Lord 

 Selkirk, that it was his wish to proceed to sea immediately ; 

 and Lord Selkirk and company took their leave. 



Their " lessening boat had scarcely disappeared, when, 

 leaning over the quarter-deck, I was insensibly led to the con- 

 templation of the grand and sublime scenery with which I 

 was, for the first time in my life, surrounded. On one side 

 I beheld the vast and widely-extended body of waters, over 

 which the moon was just beginning to throw a diffused and 

 silvery light ; on the other appeared my native land, like a 

 dusky streak stretched along the verge of the horizon. Its thin, 

 and misty form had somewhat the appearance of a dense vapour, 

 which had been precipitated by the chill cool air of evening. 



The solemnity and stillness of this calm repose of nature 

 was only interrupted by the soft splash of the light wave 

 against the head and sides of the vessel, and occasionally 

 by the slow and solemn voice of the captain giving his com- 

 mands to the helmsman. 



From this train of reflections I was, however, soon dis- 

 turbed by the voice of the steward, who came upon deck to 

 announce that supper was on the table. I immediately went 

 down to the cabin, where I found Mr. and Mrs. M'Clain, 

 from the Isle of Mull ; Mr. Keveny, Mr. Johnson, and the 

 rest of the cabin-passengers. After partaking of a very ele- 

 gant and well-dressed supper, we continued chatting until 

 twelve o'clock : " that hour o' night's black arch the key- 

 stone," when we all agreed to retire, or, as it is technically 

 termed, to turn in. In a short time, without much solicita- 

 tion, we were visited by that sweet refreshing power which 

 rarely visits sorrow, and when it doth, it is a comforter. 



During the first week, the occurrences of our voyage were 

 VOYAGES and TRAVELS, No. 8. Vol. II. B 



