This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1820 edition. Excerpt: ... without a pang. I reckon it indeed impossible for any young person who feels at all, to bid a long farewell to the dpjpestic circle, and the native abode, "Seats of our youth, when ev'ry sport can please," without feeling deeply. In truth, on that occasion, many an aching heart is hid under a smiling face; for these are feelings that cannot be allowed much to meet the public eye, without endangering the character of manliness, that most, in making their first step in life, are particularly emulous of asserting. On some of these points I speak a little experimentally, as I remember their being somewhat realized in my own case. I embarked at Gravesend three days before the ship sailed; and not knowing a person on board, the scene, then entirely new, was dreary enough. But, at an early period of life, the mind soon gets assimilated to new objects and pursuits: New acquaintances are gradually formed; new interests excited: As the bow that gilds the clouds, hope scatters her rays in the distant horizon; and, as the youthful adventurer has not yet learned from experience, that "Man never is, but always to be blessed;" the imagination is filled with expectations, which, though they answer the purpose at the time of quickening the march of the spirits, are in the issue far more frequently baffled than realised. Most of the passengers did not embark till the day before we sailed.-The ship was much crowded. There were ten ladies on board; and I think about thirty dined at the Captain's table, besides a number belonging to the mess in the cabin of the third mate. There were also a number of recruits on board; making in all between 275 and 280 persons. 1 kept no journal regarding the first part of our voyage; and, if I had done so, it probably would...