Passed a tolerable night; attempted to get up to breakfast, but found
myself obliged to hurry back to my berth and did not attempt to rise
till twelve, and then unable to shave. Sat sometimes in the sunshine and
sometimes in the small house, unable to walk and fearful of descending.
Took only a little bread and a sip of brandy and water. Descended about
7 to tea, but obliged to hurry into my berth when I vomited, then drank
a cup of tea. Last night I dreamed that I actually saw my dear father
alive and cheerful. Several birds resembling sparrows flew about the
ship and seemed as if they had made an error in their reckoning as they
must be nearly four hundred miles from land. I cannot but deeply
sympathise with the steerage passengers so crowded, whilst with every
attention I cannot but think my own situation miserable.
MONDAY, MAY 5TH.
A pretty good night, but did not rise till ten as I felt sickly. Managed
to shave without a glass. Sickly all day and unable to take exercise.
Sat in the upper house with a quantity of flannel around my feet; urged
by the Captain to take a little chicken broth, did so and to my great
surprise found some relish. I also partook of a little chicken; sick
several times; descended about 7; again sick, got a cup of tea, took two
of the pills. Found my feet very cold, rubbed them warm. Sipped of the
currant tea and felt very comfortable.
Morning dawn, crowing of cocks, 7-1/2 bell rung round the cabin. 8
breakfast; coffee, tea, beefsteak, mutton-chops, etc. 12 lunch; shins of
beef, tongue, etc. 3 dinner; soup, fish, fowls, beef, mutton, pies,
puddings, dessert, oranges, nuts, French plums. 7 tea.
TUESDAY, MAY 6TH.
Rise soon after seven. Shaved again without glass, walked on deck, got
breakfast in the upper house with my two clerical friends. Talked about
the miseries of Ireland which they both ascribed to the bad effects of
popery, which Mr. Hamilton said continued in a worse state than in any
other part of the world; one great proof was that the evils were worse
in Munster. When I mentioned France, they said infidelity prevailed
there, which I admitted to be the case in the large cities. Dined above
with the two ecclesiastics. A good deal of rain with little wind. Then
blew fair but very cold. An attempt made to put up a stove but one of
the pipes was missing. Found myself able to read a little; commenced
with Watson's "Life[2]," belonging to Mr. Grindrod. Many gulls flying
behind the vessel; a ship in sight northwards. A poor hen escaped from
the pen and remained shivering at the stern; on attempting to get her
she flew off and fell into the sea and thus escaped having her throat
cut by getting drowned; we saw her floating a long way. Hope to have
got over my sickness. This evening we all appeared below at tea, being
the first time since Saturday morning, the sickness continuing from
Saturday evening to Tuesday morning. Watched the Captain and Mr. Seaton
play chess. No great skill displayed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account