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degree from the world, as if we were brought a little nearer to the Creator; and the mind cannot help being drawn towards Him who, presiding over all, sends, as he sees meet, the favourable gale to urge peacefully on, or the mighty tempest to destroy. As the commands of that One are set before us, as the duty we owe to him is explained, who is it that does not listen. As the warm prayer is offered up for a prosperous voyage-for the welfare and prosperity of our native land-for health and blessing upon friends far distant,-who is it that does not answer in sincerity of heart, amen?

Thus far our Saviour's tender care,

Has brought us safely o'er the deep,
And charg'd the winds and waves to spare
A few, the meanest of his sheep.

Oh! let our souls with praise record
The thousand mercies we enjoy ;
Beneath the safeguard of our Lord,
Kept as the apple of his eye.

God of our hope! to thee we bow,
Thou art our refuge in distress;
The husband of the widow thou;

The father of the fatherless.

In midst of dangers, fears, and deaths,
Thy goodness we'll adore;

We'll praise thee for thy mercies past,

And humbly hope for more.

There exists, I think, in almost every mind, a natural inclination to look back upon what was once enjoyed; to ponder upon things past, upon objects removed. And, at sea, to him who possesses a very reflecting mind, there cannot be a more delightful employment, than occasionally to withdraw from the bustle, and in the retirement of the cabin, or on the lone deck at night, give the thoughts to happy remembrance. It is wrong to enter upon reflection that can only cast a gloom over the feelings, and it may be thought that the reflection of the voyager, who is far away from his dearest objects, would just be of this kind; and, therefore, the less that he indulges in meditation, the better. But this I know is very far from the truth. I have felt what the sensations are, when we call to mind those we love, though they be far from us, and I pronounce them just to be those that will elevate, and give relief, to the mind. Oh! there is a feeling inspired, as

we allow the imagination to stretch to the home of our affections, and bring before us what we so long were associated with there, which restores vigour to the eye that sorrow has bedimned, and the pulse of joy to the heart that has long beat in sadness. For the time, we, as it were, hold converse with those we meditate on ; and though it be but an intercourse by imagination; though it be but a feast in idea, it is indeed a great one. As we know not of any change that has taken place in our absence, although fears may intrude, yet hope, ever more powerful, dispels them, and we picture those we left in the same happy state in which we left them; and, as thus viewing them, we heave the sigh of affection, and breathe forth the prayer for happiness long to continue with them, we gain a serenity and firmness of soul much to be desired. sordid few who possess scarcely a tender feeling, or him that never strayed from the scenes, and tore asunder the attachments, of his infancy, may not be able to appreciate this retrospect of fancy, but ever will it be regarded by the feel

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ing wanderer as his great support-as one of his greatest comforts.

And, after all, it sometimes only requires just a little stretch of the fancy, to make us, even in the middle of the Atlantic, almost believe ourselves on terra firma,-in some rural situation. Frequently, in that very place, have I been awakened in the morning by the crowing of the cock; and scarcely had I my eyes opened when I was saluted by the squeaking of the pig; then followed the bleating of the sheep, and the bellowing of the cow, the barking of the dog, and the soundings of all the different poultry; so that really, had it not been for the continual cracking of the beams and bulk-heads around me, and the unsteadiness of my footing when I got out of bed, and the cables and spun-yarns and marline-spikes that were in view from my cabindoor, I should have had little difficulty in supposing myself very near indeed, to a barn-yard. Yet sure as I was of my pent up situation, the chorus I have mentioned has often filled my mind with the most pleasing recollections, and often,

ere I rose from my pillow, have I visited, in imagination, many a dear and lovely landscape, and traversed, in all the fondness and eagerness of reality, the mountains and valleys which saw my childhood.

In short, every life has its pleasures and its pains. All depends upon the disposition; upon how we occupy, and allow the feelings. to run; upon how we strive to accommodate ourselves to existing circumstances. It would

certainly be maintaining what is not true, were I to aver, that a life at sea is as comfortable and desirable as a life on shore. Most people, I believe, and I confess myself to be one of the number, would prefer, on the whole, the latter. But what I mean to maintain is, that even the former is not without its comforts and pleasures; and that he who follows it, either from choice or necessity, if he thinks and acts properly, will not be without enjoyment.

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