144 



A MATRIMONIAL ENGAGEMENT. 



[1824. 



formed the resolution of doing so in earnest; all my nearer relatives being 

 sufficiently provided for. I was on the eve of a long voyage ; life was 

 uncertain, and if it should be the will of Providence to arrest my 

 earthly career while at a distance from my native land, I should, at 

 least, have the consolation of reflecting that my pecuniary affairs at 

 home were all arranged according to my wishes. 



The more I reflected on this subject, the more I became convinced 

 of its propriety ; and when it presented itself to my mind as it often- 

 times did, in connexion with the parting advice of my father, I con- 

 templated its features with a still deeper interest. On such occasions, 

 t very naturally asked myself, " Why not seek to unite the broken 

 cords, spoken of by my father, to this amiable heart, where the purest 

 affection already exists 1 Why may I not find here that centre-point 

 of attraction which is to correct and restrain the eccentricity of my 

 wanderings ? Two years hence, if I return in safety, I shall find 

 Abby Jane a full-blown flower, instead of an opening bud ; the staid 

 woman instead of the laughing girl. A woman, too, every way cal- 

 culated to make me happy. If I live to come back, and Abby Jane 

 be still free, I shall certainly seek to win her. But two years is a 

 long time, and she may then be another's ! I know of no female like 

 her. So mild, so gentle, so amiable, so affectionate to her relatives, 

 so lenient to the failings of others, so benevolent to the poor, so sooth- 

 ing to the afflicted, so consoling to the mourner. I could not resign 

 her to another, unless, indeed, she loved another. Her affections are 

 now free, but will they remain so ? Before I sail I must solicit her 

 promise to await my return. She will then be marriageable, and of 

 sufficient maturity to become the mistress of a family. I will make 

 the trial." 



I will not tire the reader with particulars. Let it suffice that I 

 " wooed and won ;" I obtained the desired promise — 



" She loved me for the dangers I had passed, 

 And I loved her that she did pity them." 



I now resolved, previous to my sailing, not only to give her a legal 

 claim to my little property, but also, at the same time, to interchange 

 the most unequivocal testimonials of our mutual sincerity, by having 

 the marriage ceremony actually performed in the presence of our 

 friends. This was done. The solemn contract was ratified at the 

 hymeneal altar. I then committed my virgin bride to the care of her 

 friends ; gave her a chaste parting kiss, and it was nearly two years 

 before I saw her again. It was then I followed the advice of my 

 father, and have ever since blessed the hour that I did so. I flatter 

 myself that Abby Jane will cordially reciprocate the same sentiment. 

 She is every thing that a wife and a mother should be. But enough 

 of my own affairs. 



July IQthj 1824. — The Tartar, as before stated, was ready for sea 

 on the 18th day of July. On Monday, the 19th, I went on board, and 

 at one, P. M., we got under way, and proceeded down the bay, with 

 the wind from south-south-west, and fair weather. At seven, P. M., 

 we discharged the pilot ; and at nine, took our departure from Sandy 



