“Sunday, April 20. This morning has been spent in great anxiety. About two o’clock, I heard guns firing as signals of distress. When day broke, the wreck of a vessel was seen on the rocks, off the island Benevento. About eight boats were observed at a distance, and at ten o’clock we perceived one making towards the Asia. Soon after, a passenger of the Nelson, and one of the mates of the Lady Burgess, came on board, from whom we learnt that the unfortunate ship was the Lady Burgess, which was gone down with every part of the cargo. Six ladies, passengers, reached the Nelson in safety. The mate, after putting the ladies on board the Nelson, returned to the wreck, when her poop remained above water sufficiently to preserve life: on returning a second time, nothing was seen but part of the bowsprit, every creature had disappeared; but the Commodore, having sent several boats to their assistance, suggests a hope that all are saved. What reason have we of this ship to adore a kind Providence for being directed a different course! Alas, that such indifference, nay base rebellion [against God] should still appear! O let me not be as those who know not God, but grant me such a due sense of all thy mercies, O Lord, that my heart may be unfeignedly thankful, and that I may show forth thy praise not only with my lips, but in my life! Amen.” The Journal proceeds: “April 23rd, St. Iago.--Went on shore with the purser. On landing was struck by the scenery, which was quite new to me, and highly picturesque. Within the beach there is a low valley, having the appearance of a marsh, with shrubs growing in the shape of a pine-apple; it had a very pleasing effect. Water was here procured for the fleet. The town stands on a hill, on the right of the valley; and within the fortifications. At the foot of the ascent, and on the beach, were three officers riding on small lean ponies. Their clothes, ragged and much worn, were such a contrast to an Englishman’s idea of the word ‘officer,’ as to excite a smile. Further on were some slaves, in a state of nature, employed in breaking cocoa-nuts. At the entrance of the garrison stood a sentinel, without shoes or stockings, his other clothes hanging in rags, and having no lock to his musket; altogether, he reminded me of one of Sancho Panza’s guards. In the town, which consisted of two rows of huts, we found poultry, pine-apples, cocoa-nuts, &c. &c. for sale. The natives perfectly understood what are called ‘the tricks of trade.’ I am told they sell a kind of Port wine of inferior quality, mixed with rum to keep it from going sour; they have also a kind of gin, extracted from the sugar-cane. Their women are the most disgusting figures that can be conceived; many of them having only a