porter's journal. 



25 



and the temperature of the atmosphere, although the mer- 

 cury in the day time stood at 85", when between the lati- 

 tude of 6 ' and 12' N., was not sensibly hotter than 1 have 

 frequently experienced it on our own coast. The clouds 

 which overhang the atmosphere during the day, and nearly 

 obscure the sun, served greatly to meliorate the elFects of 

 its rays ; a moderate and steady breeze from the east con- 

 tributed greatly to refresh the air ; and sailing could not be 

 more pleasant than was our passage towards the line. The 

 landsmen on board were delighted with it, and the sea- 

 men felicitated themselves that it was not always the case 

 at sea, " or all the old women in the country (as they ex- 

 pressed themselves) would have been sailors." Between 

 those latitudes, we met with great quantities of that gelati- 

 nous substance, generally known by the name of sun-fish. 

 Finding that the large quantity of stock on board must 

 necessarily consume a great deal of water, or sulfer, I di- 

 rected that the seamen should kill all their pigs ; and as the 

 young goats, by sucking the old, deprived us of their milk, I 

 directed that they also should be killed. Many petitions 

 were sent in to me to save from slaughter a favourite kid, or 

 a pig that had been destined for a Christmas dinner, with 

 assurances from the owner that it should be supplied with wa- 

 ter from his own allowance, although each man was allowed 

 only half a gallon ; yet I found it necessary to be inflexible, 

 to avoid the imputation of partiality. If I had granted the 

 petition in one instance, I should have had to do so in all^ 

 and the quantity of stock, and the dirt occasioned by them, 

 were no inconsiderable inconveniences on board. 



On the 6th I had the happiness to see our sick list redu^ 

 ced to four patients, to wit : 



William Klaer, disease of the liver. 



Thomas Ewing, sprained ancle. 



Martin Gilbert, contused fingers. 



John Collins, bilious fever, convalescent. 

 The regulation of permitting the crew to sleep on the 

 gun-deck, with the ports open, where they have a free cir^ 

 culation of air, contributes not a little, in my opinion, to 

 the preservation of their health. Most commanders are 

 averse to this indulgence, in consequence of supposing 

 their hammocks in the way of the guns. But so far from 

 perceiving a disadvantage in it, I find a great advantage in 



VOL. 1, 4 



