24 
JOURNAL OF A 
morning by news, tliat a large ship Avas approaching. A general 
scramble ensued, to prepare parcels of letters to be sent to England. 
On hailing, she proved to be the Sydney Cove from Rio dc la Plata, 
bound to Liverpool. Our captain immediately went on board and 
staid some time. Meanwhile the two vessels got pretty close to- 
gether. On his return, he brought a present of half a sheep just 
killed, but could get no fruit. The Sydney Cove had encountered 
a very heavy gale from the eastward twenty days ago, while we 
were in smooth water. Her captain v/as glad to rectify his reck- 
oning by the calculations made by our chronometer, from which 
his log differed widely. The morning was beautiful, and the sun 
rose majestically from the bosom of the ocean. 
I read to-day a pamphlet entitled " The Spirit of British Mis- 
sions." It is a compilation of various accounts of all the existing 
missionary societies, with addresses and exhortations, showing 
great earnestness and zeal in the cause. With much candour and 
liberality the author brings into notice the labours of every mis- 
sionary society now existing in Britain. 
December 1st. We have now been two months at sea, and some 
of us began to look wnth eagerness to the conclusion of our voyage. 
But we have no cause for complaint. Rather ought we to be very 
thankful to Him, whom wind and waves obey, that our voyage has 
been attended with no disaster whatever; and though sometimes 
annoyed by calms, we have seldom met with contrary winds, 
or any thing like a storm. Ever since we entered the south-east 
trades, the sails have nearly stood in the same position; and by 
many favourable shifts of wind, we have been able to get better to 
the eastward than is usually done in these latitudes. 
3d. Being Advent Sunday, we used the Liturgy appointed for the 
day, and the discourse delivered by brother Clemens was suitable 
and impressive. To-day, a species of that curious animal, called 
by some the Portuguese man of war, was thrown by a wave into 
the mizen chains, and brought on deck for our inspection. It 
seemed to be a young one, its body only three inches long, and 
