During these different voyages Mr. Bowditch gained more property. Having obtained, likewise, what was much better, a reputation, among his fellow-citizens, as a man of great learning, perseverance, extraordinary skill in the transaction of business, and unyielding uprightness, he determined to remain at home. He therefore bade farewell to the sailor’s life, as he supposed, forever.
CHAPTER VI.
From 1800 to 1803—age, 27-30.
Second marriage; character of his wife.—Mr. Bowditch engages in commerce for two years.—School committee.—East India Marine Society; a description of the annual meeting of this society.—Mr. Bowditch becomes part owner of ship Putnam, and sails for India.—Anecdote, occurrence a few days after leaving Salem.—Studies during the long voyage.—Begins to study and make notes upon La Place’s “Mécanique Céleste.”—Arrival off Sumatra; difficulties there.—Boarded by English man-of-war.—Revisits Isle of France.—Journal extracts about modes of procuring pepper; seasons for it, &c.—Incident on approaching Salem harbor.—Decision of Mr. Bowditch.
SECOND MARRIAGE.
CHARACTER OF HIS WIFE.
On the 28th of October, 1800, Mr. Bowditch married his cousin, Mary Ingersoll. She was destined to live with him thirty-four years, and was the source of much of his happiness in life. She was a person in some respects as remarkable as her husband. She was possessed of excellent judgment, unwearying kindness and love. She had also an elastic cheerfulness which scarcely anything could subdue, and very strong religious feelings. She was constantly trying to aid him. Instead of seeking for enjoyment in display, she preferred economical retirement, and great but respectable frugality, in order that her husband might pursue more thoroughly and easily his favorite studies, and might purchase books of science. Instead of collecting beautiful furniture, she called her visitors to see the new works of learning that her husband had imported from foreign lands. Yet, with all this devoted love, with all this reverence for his talents and virtues, she remained his true friend, and never shrunk from fully expressing her own opinion upon every matter of duty; and if, perchance, she differed from him, she maintained her side of the question with the zeal of a saint. It has been often said, that, had Mr. Bowditch been united with a woman of a different temperament, he would have been an entirely different person. He loved study, it was true; but none enjoyed more than he the delights of a family circle. None needed more than he did the kindness of a wife and children. She lived with him thirty-four years, and on the 17th of April, 1834, she died of consumption, after long and severe suffering.
REPUTATION AT HOME.