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perhaps the very first to jump up to the yard, in a blowy night, when a top-sail is to be reefed or furled. But this last action, as it is dangerous, and is not necessary, is not to be commended.

I have heard it often said, that a life at sea is a most disagreeable and monotonous one. I have heard the complaints often made, that while we are on board ship, the time hangs exceedingly heavy; that there is no variety, no room to roam about; that day after day, and week after week, is the same; that we are just pent up in a prison, and to make our confinement worse, we are continually exposed to numerous dangers and privations and causes of anxiety. And I allow, that in many cases, the life is disagreeable enough; for in all things much depends on circumstances. I must allow the complaints to be true, to a certain extent, but I cannot admit them in their wide acceptation; for I know that not a few have just been as happy at sea, as ever they were on shore. I have felt that, even on the deep, far removed from the land, with all its

varied enticing scenes and busied inhabitants, there is quite enough to keep away the complaint of tediousness; that there are objects well fitted for the contemplative mind; that with all the dangers and privations, and confinement, there are sources of enjoyment.

At sea, in a well-conducted ship, every thing is carried on with the greatest regularity. Certain times are set apart for certain things to be done; and he that is inclined to apportion his time and employ it properly, may certainly do it there without any difficulty. The cabin is an excellent place for retirement, and reflection, and study. And when there are a few others whom, when we please, we can converse and associate with, surely we cannot say, that the time can hang heavy. He that cannot find enough of occupation in his book and his friend, will scarcely find it, I am afraid, much to his profit, in any thing else. Yet it is not necessary that we should confine ourselves to the cabin and study alone. The mind certainly requires diversion, and it need not be without it

at sea. When we feel inclined, we can do there just as we do on shore-go out and make our calls. We can pay to our friends, as regularly there as any where else, the morning or afternoon visit, and have the visit returned; and he only who has made one of it can tell the happiness which exists in the little society, when a few, with dispositions alike, are met in the little cabin, either conning with each other the lesson of knowledge, or joining in some innocent amusing recreation, or talking over joys past or joys to come. There we are secure from the bustle and allurements of the world; there the mind is induced to seek in itself for something to satisfy; there we learn to prize the few objects we have, and to hold fast in affection the heart that beats responsive with our own. Before dinner, or in the evening, we can take, as on shore, although we cannot range just so far, our promenade. We may close the evening, as we are inclined, either with music, or cards, or dancing. And when Saturday night comes, and all are assembled, with bounding hearts we drink to sweethearts

and wives, and the cheerful song passes round. In truth, it is just a little city—a little societyof itself; and secluded as it may seem, he who likes to accomodate himself to it, need not want comfort.

One complaint I have said is, that privations and dangers attend it; and I admit that they do. The seaman, in particular, who has chargewho has duty to perform-has indeed enough of anxiety and privation. But there is no situation without its dangers; and though we may allow that the man who is tossing about on the wide ocean, runs, upon the whole, a greater risk than him that is walking quietly on terra firma, yet, we need not look very narrowly to discover, that when out at sea, though we may be exposed to dangers enough, we are out of the way of not a few that on land we would be liable to. In the various circumstances and situations of this uncertain state, it is indeed hard to say who stands the best chance. Fortunately, he who has to endure some of its privations, appreciates best its sweets when they come.

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Another complaint is, the sameness of the scene. There is nothing, it is said, pleasing or beautiful to attract the eye; probably for months together nothing is to be seen but sea and sky; and, consequently, the scene can have few charms-the prospect must be tedious and uninviting.

But these are assertions which I must also regret, in a great measure. That for months together nothing else is to be seen but sea and sky, is true; but to tell me that in this sea and sky there is nothing beautiful or attractive, is to tell me what experience has proven to be false. It is true, that the mighty precipice, towering in majesty and the mountain, with its less gigantic, but milder and more alluring aspect-and the valley, with its murmuring stream and its peaceful peeping cottage-and the flowery meadow, with all its variegated richness-and the wide-spread lawn, covered with its green verdure-and the far-extending forest, robed and blooming in its green livery-objects which give such life and pleasure to the eye and heart of

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