camera, and of all books and writings connected with the constitution.
We left the luxuries of a noble mansion and its adequate
establishment, without other regret, than that of separating from
its friendly owner; and full of animated hopes for the future(
embarked on board an American brig, bound for the Cape de
Verde Islands. We had lost all prospect of a vessel, that would
convey us direct to Sierra Leone, and, hoping to profit by the
delay, Mr. Bowdich determined to go to Bona Vista, and thence
to Fogo, and the other islands, taking the chance of conveyance to
Sierra Leone, by way of the Gambia. We weighed anchor at
three in the afternoon of , the 26th of October, 1823, but remained
in sight of Madeira for forty-eight hours ; and I cannot imagine
any situation more tantalizing, than that of being on board a
miserable, dirty vessel, tossing about with a foul wind, and a
heavy swell, tormented with the worst sickness in the world,
and still in sight of a beautiful shore, with all the comforts which
wealth and friendship could'supply, crowding upon the memory.
I hid myself in my birth, and would not look out of it again, till
well assured we had lost all view of Madeira; the recollection of
its beauties, and all that had passed in it, would have rendered
me unfit to encounter my new trials, and while surrounded by my
husband and children, I should justly have felt ashamed of
encouraging a single discontented feeling.
The master of our vessel was then making his first voyage as
Captain, and dearly did we rue his inexperience. He possessed
little or no authority over his crew, consisting of two mates, and
five men, the former of whom plundered our provisions at
pleasure; and, as he was extremely parsimonious, he not only
shared in the spoil, but collected the remnants of our meals
(thereby depriving his half-fed men) for his own table. Our good
friend had amply supplied us with delicious wine, and Mr. Bowdich
had agreed with me, that the malmsey at least would be
wasted) if broached at seà : ■reserving'it, therefore,1 forbetter timeS;
we- left the-cask untouched ; but; tired with'the disagreeables
attending the voyage, our resolution gave ‘wàÿ,’ arid we had
recourse- to our "treasure.-1 To our great dismay,- however, not
a-single-' drop of malmsey, or any other, sort, was left us. This
disappointment en tailed upon us-suspicion in its1 fullest:'extent)
and 'we-feared-for evërÿ part of our property which might be
déemèd valuable- to another. My*‘ imagination® carried me to 'a
Considerable length* to, theno small’entertammcnt of Mr. Bowdich
and myself also, after I-recovered from iny fright. On a former
occasion, I had been five days in the same shijf-with a hrardérer)
who was going home to take his trial, and his kppeâiariee)-added
to ‘his-own; description’of his barbarity,1 so strongly excited my
terror) that although it was a- near approach Ito suffocation, from
thé warmth of thé climate, I could only rest while my child was
shut up with me in our little state room. By' a remarkable
coincidence) the first mate of the American, with red hair, and
redder éyës,,resembled‘‘this criminal, (whose -features I had' never
forgotten) and-Mr. Bowdich having-taxed him very warmly with
the theft- of1 bur wine, and he becoming very- sulky) I could hot
divest-myself of -the idea that he would- be -revenged. After
I had passed two sleepless nights iri'secretly 'watching him, on the
third, he approachëd Mr. Bowdich’s birth; ’with great caution and
hesitation, his hand resting upon a large knife: he always wore iii
his bosom ; I started from my mattress; and he retreated. ^IThën
waked Mh Bowdich, and; fearful-of being understood by others,
related myffears- to him in Italian ; he ridiculed me'of'couïsé)but
at my* earnest entreaty) promised to'be hpbn his* igüafd, and
agreed to’ feign sleep, should the man re-eriter the cabin) which he
did in- about an hour. : Carefiilly' lbbking around hiin,- He went
first -to the birth where-inÿ-maid and child Wère sleeping, and
s A