us, while waiting for the fleet; particularly the distressing state of Mrs. Ault's health, which deeply preyed upon the spirits of her affectionate husband, and which, by sympathy, we all shared. Her indisposition, which commenced shortly before their marriage, it was hoped would be but of short continuance. Even after her arrival at Portsmouth, her health seemed to have improved; and, with grateful feelings to God, we had begun to look forward to complete recovery. Our hopes were not of long duration.→ In a few days her complaint assumed an appearance which baffled the exercise of medical skill; and the only possibility of her recovery, in the opinion of the physician who was consulted, arose from her intended removal to a warmer climate. But apprehensions were entertained, that her reduced frame would yield to the complaint before that period could arrive.

At length, on Wednesday, December 29, we received directions to prepare for embarkation early the next morning. We met at the house of Mr. Keet, senior, at Portsmouth Point, where we were received with the most marked attention by that worthy family, and several other friends, who met us there. After uniting in prayer, we formed ourselves into two parties, and proceeded to the beach. Owing to poor Mrs. Ault's illness, she was obliged to be conveyed in a postchaise. After an affecting parting, we entered our respective pilot-boats, and were conducted on board the two ships, then lying at St. Helen's, exchanging the signal of affectionate adieu with our companions on the water, and our friends on the shore, until we were out of sight of each other.

D 3

CHAP III.

Commencement of the Voyage-Sea-sickness-Scrutiny of motives and object-Doctor Coke-Extract from Madame Guion-Portuguese Vulgate The Doctor's Journal.-Mr. Clough's AccountThe situation of a Missionary during a voyage-Public worship on the Lord's-day-Services in the Lady Melville-Mr. Squance Cautious reserve with respect to the Doctor-Journal—Mr. Clough's elucidation--Sabath-evening reading--Social meetings for prayer, &c] in the author's cabin-Behaviour of the Passengers-Encouraging effects of Christian conversation with them-Note on Grace before Meat-Ship Newspaper-Signals-Mrs. Ault's illness-Visit from Messrs. Ault and Squance-Mrs. Ault's death-Her amiable and devout character-Her death greatly lamented-Its effect on the Doctor's mind-The health of Mr. Squance seriously affected-Visits the Cabalva-We pass the Equator-The visit of Neptune, &c.Isles of Bourbon and France-Another mission contemplated for Mr. Squance-He recovers, and returns on board the Melville-Doctor Coke's attentions to the spiritual interests of the Soldiers on boardPleasing results-Melancholy cases-Asiatic Journal for June, 1820-Effects of intoxication-A singular interview-The Doctor's hopes in reference to the Soldiers-Separated from the fleet, and rejoin-"O cabo dos tormentados"-Volcano-Second approach to the Line-Illness of Mrs. Harvard, and of the Author-Dr. Coke's anxiety and prayers-They recover the Doctor discovers symptoms of illness-Solemn and affecting parting-His Death and Funeral.

THE Commencement of our voyage was marked by nothing unusual to persons in similar circumstances. With the exception of the venerable Doctor, we were all more or less affected with sea-sickness; a complaint which is perhaps, for the time, one of the most distressing affections to which the human system is liable. Mrs. Harvard's share of this illness was so considerable, that she was, in consequence, a

close inmate of our cabin for several weeks, During this indisposition, the recent parting from our dear friends and country frequently passed in review before us; nor could we, without momentary pain, look back upon all those endearments which crowded around us in our native land, and which, for aught we knew to the contrary, we had sacrificed for ever.

It was then, perhaps, more seriously than before, that we scrutinized the character of the work to which we had devoted ourselves, and the motives by which we were influenced, in engaging in it. Fluctuations of mind may be expected in the present state of imperfection; but our convictions of duty were invariably the same: and, being satisfied that we had followed the Divine direction, the result was an establishment of purpose. By the active and persevering example of our venerable leader, a regular course of study and employment was marked out for us. whatever difficulties it presented to us, from the novelty of our circumstances, it was far otherwise with him. Doctor Coke was, in the most harmless and honourable sense of the word, a "citizen of the world;" for he was always at home, if he could but find employment suited to his sacred office and pursuits. This was a subject on which he frequently conversed; and, in illustration of his views, I remember he once gave us this favourite quotation from Madame Guion :

"O thou, by long experience tried,
Near whom no grief can long abide :
My Love!-how full of sweet content
I pass my years of banishment!

"All scenes alike engaging prove,

To souls impress'd with sacred love:
Where'er they dwell, they dwell in Thee,
In heaven, in earth, or on the sea.

And

"To me remains nor place, nor time,
My country is in every clime;

I can be calm, and free from care
On any shore, since God is there.

"While place we seek, or place we shun,
The soul finds happiness in none;
But, with a God to guide our way,
'Tis equal joy to go, or stay.

"Could I be cast where Thou art not,
That were, indeed, a dreadful lot;
But regions none remote I call,
Secure of meeting God in all.

"My country, Lord, art thou alone;
Nor other can I claim, or own:

The point where all my wishes meet-
My Law, my Love, life's only sweet!

"I hold by nothing here below:
Appoint my journey, and I go:

Though pierc'd by scorn, oppress'd by pride,
I feel thee good-feel nought beside.

"No frowns of men can hurtful prove
To souls on fire with heavenly love :
Though men and devils both condemn,
No gloomy days arise from them.

"Ah! then to His embrace repair;
My soul thou art no stranger there :
There, love divine shall be thy guard,
And peace and safety thy reward."

These lines exhibit the principles by which his devoted mind was influenced and regulated in his great work and, it need not be added, how essential the ascendancy of such principles is to the proper discharge of those self-denying duties which such a work demands. We were thus favoured with a constant model of cheerful piety, and industrious zeal, worthy of our closest imitation. The diligent and critical perusal of the Portuguese Vulgate, a copy of which in several

volumes he had procured with some difficulty and expense, with occasional epistolary correspondence, formed his general occupation. These were varied by excursions on the quarter-deck, and by the exercise of that lively and interesting talent in friendly and enlightened conversation, for which he was always so deservedly celebrated.

An extract from the Doctor's Journal, written at the commencement of our voyage, will record the ardent and devout feelings of his mind at that time.

"In the ship in which I have sailed there are above four hundred souls. About fifty of the sailors are Lascars, and chiefly, if not entirely, I am afraid, (for I have been talking with some of them) Mahometans. The gospel-door, as it respects that people, seems entirely closed. Their religion was established by the sword; and I fear that the sword must go through their nations, before they will bow to the sceptre of Jesus.

"I have a most charming study. It has two large windows that open from the stern to the sea; and my elbow-chair and my table are placed in the most convenient situation possible. I have seen, I think, seventeen ships of our fleet sailing after us. Here I employ all my time, and nearly the whole of it in reading and writing Portuguese, excepting my hours of meditation; which, indeed, I can hardly except; for my chief study is my Portuguese Bible. O how sweet is the word of God! I have loved it since I came into this ship more than ever I did before :

"Jesus gives me, in his word,

Food and med❜cine, shield and sword."

The following testimony from Mr. Clough's Account of Doctor Coke, is too expressive and valuable to be omitted: