78 
SKETCH OF A VOYAGE ACROSS THE NORTH AND BALTIC 
SEAS. 
By Charles Drosier. 
Before commencing the proposed papers on the Natural History, climate, and 
scenery of the vicinity of St. Petersburgh, it has struck me that a brief detail or 
sketch of a voyage across the North and Baltic Seas, will not be altogether 
unfraught with interest, or unsuited to the nature of your periodical. To the 
lover of Nature there is matter of delight and instruction in all situations; 
whether he roams the inhospitable deserts of the south, the frozen waters of the 
arctic regions, or the restless plains of the <e multitudinous ocean,” something will 
always be found worthy of his attention; and though his observations, to the 
eyes of many, may be productive of no practical utility, yet if they, have given 
rise to pleasing emotions in his own mind, and have awakened similar feelings 
in others whose nature is susceptible of refined impressions, he will never think 
that his time has been illspent—much less accuse himself of idleness. The 
following account, which I shall draw up in the shape of a narative, for the sake 
of connexion, must be considered with reference only to the natural objects of 
which it treats. Had I discussed other matters, more than was necessary to unite 
the whole, it would have swelled under my hands, and become inapposite. One 
thing I have to regret is the little facility for observation on board a merchant 
vessel. Supposing a bird, however valuable, to be shot, it can seldom be secured, 
and the most interesting coasts are generally seen only at a provoking distance ; 
but still if a man has a eyes in his head,” he can mostly find something on which 
to employ them. 
I left Hull on the 7th of August, 1835, in the Neva , a stout Russian trader of 
three-hundred tons burden, commanded by Capt. Wilson. We cleared the mouth 
of the estuary late in the evening, and found a long easterly swell setting in 
against us ; the wind was light at south, and the ship, having just steerage weigh 
upon her, tumbled about in a style sufficient to “ play Puck with the intrils” of 
any but those who had been formally introduced to old Davy Jones, and could ap¬ 
preciate his pranks. Fortunately, we were all old familiars, though our acquaint¬ 
ance heretofore had been simply of a coasting nature. I felt somewhat excited 
at the prospect before me, of surveying a decent moiety of the “ old salt’s” terri¬ 
tories, with their dependent coasts; and had prepared fishing-tackle to spirit 
away some of his liege subjects; but found them in the end more attentive to 
their interests and safety than I had expected. 
In two days, with light southerly winds, which had the effect of laying the 
swell, che ship reached the south-western limb of the extensive Dogger bank, so 
