ADVENTURES AND MISFORTITNES OF A CORNISHMAN. 281 



Portsmouth to join a convoy, from whence we again sailed on the 

 i6th with the African fleet, and seven days after, having parted with 

 it, we were taken by the " Spartiate " French Privateer and carried 

 into Teneriffe. Here both ship and cargo were condemned and 

 we all put into prison, whence (through the good offices of a Mr. 

 White) I got off, having lost everything, to a Portuguese brig bound 

 to Lisbon where we safely arrived and from whence I procured a 

 passage on board the "Mary," Captain Hicks (one of the last 

 Portugal fleet), and arrived safely here but miserably emaciated and 

 distressed both in mind and body." 



" Having made various applications for employment without 

 finding any place vacant that would suit me, I determined to write 

 to you, and, in the meantime, to go to work as well as my strength 

 would permit as a ropemaker, which I find however very irksome 

 and difficult, but by the blessing of God I hope to be better off bye 

 and bye, and if I could but get the American rascals to remit me 

 some of my rent I should do tolerably well." 



" Thus you have a narrative of particulars of the last five years 

 of my life, which, as you see have been various and unfortunate 

 and in some respects singular, and at different times my mind has 

 been affected with sudden transitions from grief to joy and vice 

 versd ten times a day. Upon due reflection, without any substantial 

 reason for either, such is the weakness of human kind." 



" Upon the whole, I think I may safely say I have had a 

 tolerable share of experience in the world, and I feel myself the 

 better for it. ****** Hoping to hear from you and 

 assuring you that you have been always borne in my mind with 

 real affection and regard, 1 am 



Dear Hannam, 

 Your unfortunate but faithful friend, 



JOHN DEBELL." 

 "**#*** ^y most respectful compts. await your good 

 lady » * * My love to my mother and sister. I cannot 

 finish my letter to them to-day, but will send it in a post or two." 



As the writer truly remarks, his experiences appear to have 

 been both varied and singular. 'It is to be regretted that his 

 account was not more detailed in parts. We should have been 



