JOURNAL OF A 
tions of the crew, the interest taken in the fate of the animals on 
board, ^ — all these things not only keep alive the mind of any 
person, not wholly apathetic and inattentive to what passes 
around him, but tend to prevent languor and impatience from 
gaining too much ground. And what abundant resources are 
there not found in study, and the contemplation of the works of 
nature and art ; for the pursuit of which, a long voyage affords 
much leisure and convenience, seldom interrupted. 
W ant of appetite, and frequent sleepless nights, which I con- 
sidered as a very acceptable commutation for sea-sickness, having 
never suffered from the latter after the first week, had robbed me 
of much strength, but not of health, or energy of mind. I was 
therefore satisfied, not to be able, without great weariness, to walk 
about the decks, and comforted myself with the hopes of the re- 
turn of my usual powers, when wanted; nor was I disappointed. 
A week passed without any occurrence worthy of notice. 
28th. Having spent some days without seeing a cloud, a fish, 
a bu'd, or any thing to excite either alarm or wonder, we were 
again visited by showers and strong puffs of wind. A flying 
fish fell on board, of a larger size than any we had yet seen, with 
black flying fins, its body about fourteen inches long. However, 
the unphilosophical tars had mutilated him, before he was brought 
into the cabin for inspection. 
I read to-day the preface of the German bible, printed at 
Basle in 1741. It gives an account of the manner in which the 
reading of the Scriptures was opposed in the Roman Catholic 
church, when even the clergy were kept in ignorance of its 
contents. Plow great was that darkness, when the whole Christ- 
ian world tamely submitted to such spiritual tyranny, and kings 
and princes were the dupes of wicked, designing, and igno- 
rant priests ! How little are those blessings, which we enjoy 
in our day, considered and valued by some, who in their indif- 
ference to them, and under a supposition, that the spirit of po- 
pery is changed, see no danger in taking off a salutary restraint. 
