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Early Western Travels
[Vol. II

for both land and sea. Take two-thirds of Cheltenham salts, and one-third of Epsom salts, mixed; a quarter of an ounce, dissolved in a pint of hot spring water, and drunk an hour before rising, is a dose which may be often repeated, if necessary, by patients disposed to indigestion.

January 1st, 1819.—On Monday last, five days since, I came on board the Ruthy, then lying in, and now creeping down the Thames; nothing remarkable having yet transpired. On Wednesday, I showed myself at the custom-house at Gravesend. Now, twenty-five miles from the Downs. Our crew and passengers consist of three Englishmen, one Welshman, one Spaniard, and nine sprightly Americans, including our youthful captain, twenty-five only, of very energetic habits, and manners, and aspect; possessing an air, an eye, and a voice which say, arm; which create or annihilate; which say be or not be. What a pity that so much natural manly talent and efficiency should be mixed up with so much frightful profaneness! The ship [3] has yet no motion, nor is there any sickness, except amongst the poultry, and first mate, who seems sick and ready to die. I began an epistle to my father, and assured him that my heart is a compass, which will ever truly point towards England, and that a ship is a prison, a house without land, where life is most uncertain, and death always at hand.

Sunday, 3rd.—Under weigh at half past eight, but soon stranded; struck and stuck fast on the shallow sands above Margate roads. Somewhat alarmed, but providentially off again at three o'clock tide, losing only an anchor and cable worth 100l. Terrible language even on this day; but Sabbath none here!

4th.—Safely anchored in the Downs, off Deal; where at six p. m. the pilot left us. Boarded by smugglers, offer-