I N T R O D U C T I O Nc _ J 
Some of my friends have accofed me of 
coolnefs and infenfibillty ; and a greater 
number of them have confidered the fingu- 
lar journeys I afterwards undertook as raili 
enterprizes. The former I readily forgive; 
to the latter I fhall make no reply : thofe^ 
hov^ever, who give themfelves the leail trou- 
ble to review the fnil purfuits of my infan- 
cy 5 will be lefs furprifed at this appearance 
of originality ; and vvill eafily perceive that 
my education, w^hile it accounts for the 
caufe of it, pleads alfo its excufe. 
Some time after, my parents, y^^ho had 
fixed the period of their departure for Eu- 
rope, and who fought no other happinefs 
than that of being united to their family and 
friends, having fettled their affairs, I embark- 
ed with them in a fhip called the Catherine, 
and, on the 4th of April 1763, fet fail for 
Holland. In the joy of my heart I partook^ 
by anticipitation, of all thofe pleafures and 
amufements which my parents prcpofed to 
enjoy during the pafTage. A curiofity, very 
natural at. my age, added to my tranfports : 
but this agitation, or rather delirium, did 
not reader me infenfible to resrret. In 
B 4 fo 
