THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH.
Lay in bed till after seven; as I do not like waiting so long for breakfast (9 o'clock). Found we had not progressed much; the morning warm and fine. Sick again. Took a little tea and dry toast with an egg, and found it more disposed to remain with me. Went on deck and was able to read a few of Bryant's "Poems." Took for lunch two peaches and three slices of melon; again saw Mother Carey's chickens. Dined pretty well upon soup, a slice of mutton, a peach pie, two peaches and three slices of melon. Read some more B.'s "Poems," and also Cobbett's "Advice to Young Men." Difference of time between New York and Liverpool 4 hours and 44 minutes: also 4 dollars and 44 cents making our sovereign of twenty shillings.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH.
Rose at half past six, having passed the night comfortably with pleasant dreams, is this occasioned by an empty stomach? Found we had made little way during the night; said to the second mate that we had got on very quickly, but he said they had had a busy time of it, as the wind had been in almost every point. I cannot but think that everything is managed much silenter than with the Britannia; a calm all day, the evening passed very pleasantly in general conversation. Finished reading Bryant's "Poems," some very good and highly descriptive. Had some conversation with several Irish women about returning home, afterwards insulted by some of their countrymen. The longitude is discovered best by a good time piece.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH.
Got up at half past six, not having slept so well as when the stomach was empty. Some conversation about Cobbett, most of them against him without knowing much about him. The wind favourable since three o'clock, going 6 to 8 knots an hour. Commenced reading Cobbett's "Life of Jackson." Shuffleboard played. Several porpoises seen. A good many petrels. After lunch a vessel suddenly appeared out of the mist with a X upon it. Supposed to be either a French packet, or one to Philadelphia. Another vessel was seen this morning, another sail seen this evening about 5½. Found two or three slices of melon with a biscuit to be a good lunch.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST.
Passed another good night, and rose at half past six. Found we had been making about 5 knots an hour; three ships in sight; read before breakfast one of Cobbett's sermons "On hypocrisy." In the forenoon two sermons from Chalmers's "Discourses on Commercial Integrity." One of the steerage passengers read from the Scriptures and commented sensibly, but he was laughed at by some graceless Irishmen. In the afternoon Mr. Hopkins proposed to address the passengers. After reading about the talents he proceeded to speak of the Bible as the oldest and best Book. Paine, he said, had denounced it as a forgery, but various authors had mentioned the N.T. Burnett had quoted Lord Clarendon: the Old Testament was much older and was so called at the time the New Testament was published; the difficulty of procuring a copy before the art of printing, if the best, each should strive to get a copy, also read it and understand it, but above all practice it; not to be compared with a library even extending across the Atlantic, because the one only treated of this world, the other of that to come. Read three more of Channing's "Sermons," one fully proving self interest to be the foundation even of our best actions. After tea had a long chat respecting girls, etc. About ten went on deck, a most beautiful moonlight night; a nice breeze which we enjoyed much, after the calm day; more surprising considering the equinox.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND.
Rose about seven; found the wind light but quite favourable. R. C. not a very minute observer. He had never seen the phosphorus light in the sea till last night, though more than fifty days in going out. To-day the same gentleman said he was disappointed with the view from Catskill; but admitted that West Point was rather fine. Mr. Frankland had written home the most glowing account of the scenery. The thermometer to-day 80 degrees; nearly a dead calm all day till ten o'clock. Read a good deal of Cobbett's "Advice to Young Men." Felt more languid and rather sickly, such as I experienced now and then during some parts of the hot weather.