_Aug. 15th._--Weighed anchor, and having a good breeze at N.E., we were soon clear of the land. On the evening of the 16th came on a smart breeze at S.W.; at 2 A.M. the wind changed to W.N.W. and _blew a hard gale_, which split our jib, and at last obliged us to lie too, under our courses: shipped some very heavy seas over our quarter, which drowned three parts of our stock of geese and other poultry; the baggage of near fifty passengers, for want of being properly lashed, was dashing about the steerage; which, with the shrieks of the women, heaving of the vessel, rattling of the wind, and all the _et cetera_ of a storm, was dreadful indeed. _Aug. 18th_.--Wind N.W. moderate; the morning delightful; appeared doubly so, contrasted with the horrours of the night. _Aug. 31st_.--Fresh breeze at S.W. increasing to a hard gale, reduced us once more to our courses: at 8 P.M. calm, with a very heavy swell. _Sunday 1st September._ Pleasant breeze at N.N.E. The following hymn was written by Mr. Harwood, for this morning's service. HYMN. I. Father of Heav'n, to thee we raise (Mark'd by thy kind peculiar care,) Our songs of thankfulness and praise, To thee ascends the grateful pray'r. II. Thou didst direct the gentlest breath, That o'er the sleeping waters stole; Thine is the dreadful voice of death, In which thy angry thunders roll. III. Father of all, 'tis thine to give, Not what our erring pray'r demands; With joy thy blessings we receive, And bow submissive 'neath thy hand. _Sept. 7th_.--First appearance of the gulf-weed. The trade wind, between the Equator and the extent of the northern Tropic, setting from the eastward, forces the water against the islands, and at length into the gulf of Mexico where it meets with an uniform opposition from the main, causing a strong current to the N.E., or points somewhat in that direction. This stream is so violent as to tear up the sea weeds in the gulf, and bear them as far to the north as latitude 44: the stream is soon after absorbed in the Western ocean; but causes certain counter currents, which, for want of being properly allowed for by mariners, have been the causes of many shipwrecks. _Sept. 8th_.--Fine morning; wind at W.S.W. A beautiful dolphin struck at an artificial flying fish, hanging at our bow-sprit; the hook breaking, he escaped;--continued playing round our bows for some time, and struck at several flying fish; but we could not again tempt him with the artificial bait. _Mem_. To read this lesson once a month. _Sept. 9th_.--Calm and fog, several flocks of wild fowl. Suppose ourselves near the banks of Newfoundland. Thermometer sunk 18 degrees since yesterday.