152 



fubfided before it has been followed by an- 

 other, and I have now fo entirely loft ray 

 confidence in the weather, that although 

 I am fitting in tolerable qulctnefs to write 

 to you, at this moment, I fcarcely dare hope 

 to finifli my letter before I am again toffed 

 from my feat, by a renewal of the gale — • 

 feeling that the prefent may be only one of 

 thofe ftiort refpites, which, like the delufive 

 intervals of convulfion, only prepare the body 

 for a more violent ftruggle. 



It IS now the laft day of the old year, and, 

 whichfoever way I look, my eye furveys 

 only an unbounded ocean. When we may 

 again fee land, it were difficult to conjedure, 

 but my pen fliall prepare for you fome note$ 

 of our proceedings, occafionally, when the 

 fea will permit me to guide it ; and I wall 

 fend them by any velTel we may chance to 

 meet on the palTage, or by the earlieft packet, 

 after we reach the Weft Indies. 



On the firft morning of our being at 

 fea, the weather was clear and mild, and the 

 whole fleet, confifting of nearly three hun- 



I 



