close to my Studies; but the Charge of maintaining me (although I had a very scanty Allowance) being too great for a narrow Fortune, I was bound Apprentice to Mr. James Bates, an eminent Surgeon in London, with whom I continued four years; and my Father now and then sending me small Sums of Money, I laid them out in learning Navigation, and other Parts of the Mathematicks, useful to those who intend to travel, as I always believed it would be some time or other my fortune to do. When I left Mr. Bates, I went down to my Father; where, by the Assistance of him and my Uncle John, and some other Relations, I got forty Pounds, and a Promise of thirty Pounds a year to maintain me at Leyden: There I studied Physick two years and seven months, knowing it would be useful in long Voyages.
Soon after my Return from Leyden, I was recommended by my good Master Mr. Bates, to be Surgeon to the Swal-low,
