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something of that sort, prepared in particular ways. The stomach-the whole system-debilitated and sinking, calls for something to arouse it a little,-to keep its vigour up, till it masters the complaint; and therefore, not only when the desire exists should it be gratified, but even when it does not exist, if the complaint is continuing for any length of time, some nutritive stimulus of this kind, should certainly be had recourse to. I felt myself, I know, from a little brandy and water, though brandy was a spirit I never could bear before, the very best effects. I think it right, however, to mention, that the stimulating system must not be too freely indulged in. Though I had always disliked brandy before, yet finding such considerable relief from the first dose, I repeated it, as I always do with any medicine I find answer the purpose, and continuing to take it till the end of my sickness, I found by the time I had fairly recovered, that the medicine was by no means disagreeable to me; and ever since I have been able to take a

little of it.

This is a hint which I hope will

not be overlooked.

But patience, after all, is the best cure. A little time will, I may say invariably, remove

the complaint; and what is some consolation, when we do get over it, we are frequently better than we were before.

CHAPTER II.

THE VOYAGE,

Lo! to the wintry winds the pilot yields
His bark, careering o'er unfathom'd fields.
Poor child of danger, nursling of the storm,
Sad are the woes that wreck thy manly form.
But Hope can here her moon-light vigils keep,
And sing to charm the spirit of the deep!

CAMPBELL.

As yet I have only been shewing the darker side of a sea life, or voyage; and I dare say I have said almost enough to deter any one from going to sea, if by any means he can keep

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on shore. But I must also shew something of its bright one; and I think what I have to say upon that head will go a good way to counterbalance what has been said before.

And first, I would observe, that the description I have given of the troubles we suffered, from boisterous weather, at the outset of the

voyage in the Lonach, will not apply to every voyage. It is only now and then that a ship, at starting, meets with such weather as we were exposed to; and, of course, it is only now and then that such sorrowful scenes are to be witnessed. Frequently is the ship, from the time she leaves her port till she has travelled far, till she has reached a more equable and genial clime, wafted along by the gentlest gales upon a quiet sea; and the system thus gradually initiated into the business, feels none of those disagreeable effects which so generally attend upon boisterous weather. And there are some who are not at all disposed to sea-sickness, who are fortunate enough to possess a constitution proof against it in all weathers.

And even when it does happen that, at the very outset, a storm is encountered, it lasts only for a time, and serves this good purpose, that when better weather does come, we value and enjoy it the more. Whatever may be the state of matters at the beginning, we may make ourselves sure, barring accidents, that after getting

on a little, we will get into fine weather; and it is then that our dislike to the situation, however much it may have been, is sure to give way, and we begin to see in it much more comfort, many more sources of enjoyment, than the first tasting of it promised. By this time every one on board has become better acquainted, and frequent association and agreeable conversation, which are the soothers of life in all situations, become general. The mind is now, in some degree, weaned from the objects it has left, and begins to take some interest in those that are before it. The very business of the ship becomes attractive and amusing; and often is the mere passenger, who has nothing to do with it, in a very short time, almost as well versed in sea phrases, and able to talk with nearly as much freedom about braces and bunt-lines, and sheets and yards, as the seaman himself. is the young fellow, who, but a few days before, lay in a state of misery, wishing himself a thousand miles away from every thing like a ship, as ready as any one to lend his hand to a rope, and

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