occasion to cross the Atlantic in any other than a packet ship, you may avoid the error into which we fell. Owing to our inexperience of sea-life, and the haste in which we set sail, we neglected to take a proper supply of fresh provisions. In ordinary circumstances, a missionary man may be excused for giving himself as little concern as we did, about meats and drinks. But where, as in our case, health suffers in consequence, there is also a loss of time, which I need not tell you, is acquiring a more golden value, now that we are looking forward to do the work of life among people, of whose languages, history, opinions and customs, we are in a great degree ignorant.

We have succeeded in filling up about half our time very profitably, in reading history and travels, but we have attempted little regular study.

chest on board.

The crew of our vessel are only ten, all told. The captain and two mates, constitute the officers; these with ourselves, occupy the cabin. Our captain, as is frequently the case, acts also as the supercargo. The cook serves likewise in the additional capacity of steward. His familiar and favorite title, is that of "doctor." In our vessel, we have no separate offices of carpenter, sail maker, and the like. Every master of a vessel is bound to have a medicine With the aid of a book of directions, and constantly increasing experience, ordinary cases of disease, he may treat tolerably well. He can also extract a tooth, open a vein, bind up a wound and, perhaps, set a limb. The mates, each of them have their quadrant, and compare their observations with the captain's, when he "takes the sun" at noon. Some of the more intelligent "keep the ship's reckoning" for themselves.

The "log book" is kept by the first mate. This is made up from his own observations of wind, weather, and remarkable occurrences, and from the course and rate of the vessel, as entered on the slate by the officer of the deck, at the close of every watch. The Captain, supercargo, steward and cook have no regular watch. The remainder of the crew, are divided into two companies which under the direction of the mates, take their alternate watch on deck,

every four hours. The dog-watches are only two

hours; from four to six, and six to eight in the afternoon. Thus you see that our vessel, of more than two hundred tons, has ordinarily but four persons, to guide the helm and manage the sails. American vessels generally, are sailed with fewer seamen, than those of other nations. The men however, are better paid, receiving from eight to twelve dollars a month.

Some alterations of the sails require "all hands.” These changes if possible are made when the new watch is called. In all vessels during the afternoon, and in some during the forenoon, the watch off duty, are required to be engaged in mending sails, picking oakum or other light work. An hour, (from twelve to one,) is allowed the men for dinner and recreation. True to to the glass, all are then summoned to their labors. To these regular employments, should be added the extra calls, that changing and stormy weather make on the "watch below deck," and the disposition to sleep, which springs from hard labor and alternate exposure to damps and cold by night, and winds and scorching sun by day. You will hence readily see how little time remains during the week for idleness, or attention to their personal concerns.

On the Sabbath, however, most kinds of unnecessary labor are suspended, and the men shave and change their dress. Some of the more serious then take their Bibles, and others their song books, while not a few are engaged in washing or repairing their clothes. At such times, we teach the steward to read from the New Testament, and occasionally find opportunities of conversing with the men on religious subjects. We have not, however, had public worship on board. Masters of vessels generally, are opposed to their passengers holding much intercourse with the crew. It is unfavorable, they say, to the maintenance of discipline, and leads to the neglect of important duty. Such suggestions ought to be regarded;-conversation should not be had with the helmsman, nor unseasonable questions asked of the captain or officers and men on duty.

Missionaries and religious men, in particular, should studiously conform to all the regulations of the vessel, and proper wishes of the officers, if they would hope to be useful on board. They should remember if unaccustomed to the sea, that confined as is so large a company to such narrow limits, there must necessarily be a want of some conveniences, and a mutual sacrifice of inclinations. Under these restrictions, how salutary, however, even in the promotion of diligence and fidelity, would be the influence of religious instruction, There are times when the fear of man, ceases to restrain and excite, and some more powerful motive is wanted to operate on the heart.

In most merchant vessels, occasional blows and extra labors are resorted to, for keeping the men in subjection. More frequently, reproofs and threatening

are made to suffice, accompanied too often with a volley of oaths and curses. Our Captain like others, habitually keeps his pistols and various weapons by the side of his birth, ready for any emergency.

We have been favored in having a commander so polite and intelligent, and free from some too common faults of ship masters. His practice is, to furnish the men with a glass of spirits daily, and an extra glass in rough weather. How much the habit of intemperate drinking may endanger a vessel, we have seen this evening in whose place the Captain was obli

ged to supply, after he had sent him below.

Water has been free to the crew, with only occasional complaints that they were so thirsty, and admonitions to guard against its waste. We passengers have conformed to the usage of washing in that of the ocean. As yet, we have scarcely broached a cask below deck. In these I believe it is required by law, that merchant vessels crossing the Atlantic, shall have at least sixty gallons for each individual.

A sea life under the most favorable circumstances, and even in the approaching millennial days, will be regarded as a necessary evil to be borne for the good of society. If the officers were reasonable in their commands, and humane in their conduct; the men attentive to their business, respectful to their officers, and obliging to each other; and if the owners were liberal in their supply of provisions, and the crew provident in their purchases of clothing;--there would still be such a destitution of healthful diet, such exposure to weather, and change of climate, and such want of medical skill, as would doubtless make the generation of seamen, shorter lived than any other class,

The information to be derived from visiting foreign countries, which soon lose most of their interest, would by no means compensate for a long continued absence from family and friends. How much more then, is the sailor deserving our sympathy in the present imperfect state of society, and degraded condition of the profession. Seldom have I met with one, who did not regret that he had entered upon an employment, from which, nothing but habit prevented his breaking away. Their vices, together with the unavoidable causes which have been mentioned, bring most of them to an untimely end. A sailor at forty, is an old man, and if my observation has been correct, is rarely to be met with. Add to this, his necessary absence from the sanctuary and many of the means of grace, his want of christian society, and exposure to peculiar temptations, and how loud is the call, that they who care for the better life of poor Jack, should hold out a helping hand, to encourage him in his way Zion-ward.

Gibraltar, Oct. 23.

It was just five weeks since the music of the Boston bells died away on our ears, when we yesterday entered the harbor in season to hear, those of this place, summoning its christian population to their Sabbath morning's worship. Mr. Gridley went on shore, to attend the evening service at the Methodist Chapel, and has not yet returned. Cape Spartel, the first land which we made in the old world, is only thirty or forty miles from Gibraltar. Had it not been for a head wind which blew down the straits, we should have been at anchor here on Saturday. On the whole, our voyage