Part 9 (1/2)

Another practice, which he prevalently pursued when at sea, in addition to the religious exercises already noted, was that of devotional reading when in bed I refer to this particularly, not only because it was a practice that I had constant opportunities of observing, but because of the admirable contrivance (applicable, I think, to the condition ofthis exercise and recreation convenient and agreeable without the labour of holding the book, or the prevalent exposure of the hands to the cold and often freezing temperature of his ”state-room”

The contrivance consisted in an open deal fraht flat picture-fraes to the bulkhead forainst the side, when not in use

Being hung on an oblique plane, it beca, parallel to the position of the reader with his head, face upward, lying on a pillow The distance fro focus; but could easily be altered by different loops on the string or wire, by which the end opposite to that affixed by hinges was supported fro, overhead

The book designed to be used was laid, with the open pages doard, upon the interior of the frame, where it was supported by three parallel wires, the side wires receiving the ins of the book, and the centre wire the middle These wires for the adjustment of distance werewires attached longitudinally to the interior of the frame, so that the wires could be readily adapted for a book of any size, froe quarto down to the smallest volume

The condition of my Father's mind, in reference to this all-important subject, I find particularly indicated in two of his letters, fortunately preserved, which ritten to me at the period embraced by the present chapter, whilst, as a youth, I was attending the scientific lectures of the University of Edinburgh[L] I select, with slight verbal correction, two or three passages:-

”It is a great pleasure to us to learn that you know the value of time which you have so nicely divided to suit the lectures, etc; but, at the sa leave to say, that we think you have o to Mr Wood's on Sunday, as, on that day, I have no lectures to attend' My dear son, I know it is too much the custoht to be strictly observed, as the wise Author of all things has appointed He has appointed one day in seven to Himself, that we may rejoice therein and serve Hi us therein to search for wisdoht, and was blessed with riches and honour,) which your Bible, and _Sunday Lectures_, and your own prayers offered up to God, will procure for you, and He will yield His peace which passeth all understanding We are very poorly off indeed if there be no better things in store for us than those of this world, which, cos, are all vanity and vexation of spirit”

After a very gratifying notice of my ”steady conduct,” followed by sos, the section of the letter now quoted thus concludes:-”Hearken to the advice of a Father, and walk in the _laws_ of the _Lord_, which you will find the greatest comfort this life can afford”

The other letter, after a high coe, and the citing, for one's exauished scholars and philosophers of antiquity, proceeds as follows:-”But after a uished exareat a proficient as Crichton, yet, _without religion_, he will, at the latter end of his life, have, with Sir John Mason, to exclaireatest wisdom, Temperance the best physician, and a Good Conscience the best estate_ Therefore, , and never be ashamed to carry a pocket Bible about with you, wherein you may find comfort in every state of life, and, at the same time, you will feel a thirst for every useful science, which, I flatter myself, you will not relax in pursuit of”

In conclusion of this sketch of iously considered, I h his principles sometimes failed under special te, yet the feeling of reverence for the day appointed for rest and devotion, was seldom without some manifestation If whales were pursued when incidentally seen on the sacred day, they were not sought for, nor were boats sent out on watch, as on other days, nor was ordinary work ordered or peres, however, his practice becameas, in a worldly view, its clai the Sabbath; and the day was generally given to the appointed objects of the gracious and beneficent institution

FOOTNOTES:

[H] The proportion of profit, it may be noted, did not equal that of the relative produce obtained from the two fisheries, in consequence of the additional expenses of the Davis' Strait voyage, in respect of the tiher premium required for insurance

[I] Given in substance in the ”Account of the Arctic Regions,” vol ii

page 360

[J] It will here be proper to notice, that in the foregoing description of this adventurous capture, we have taken occasion (in the way of illustration generally) to fill up the picture, in regard to some particulars of well known and prevalent experience, beyond the extent of the leading facts and outlines, or memorial records, specially before us

[K] This plan was first coh, and published in the second volume of its Memoirs It was subsequently set forth in a revised forions,” published in the year 1819

[L] From attendance on the instructive lectures and demonstrations of several of thea considerable portion of two sessions, I feel it a rateful duty here, by the way, to say, that I obtained a larger e than, within like period, perhaps, any other existing instrumentality could have yielded

CHAPTER V

FURTHER ENTERPRISES: GENERAL RESULTS

SECTION I-_The Greenock Whale-fishi+ng Company_

In the summer of 1810, whilst I was on a recreative tour in Scotland, and visiting at the house of a merchant in Greenock, my adventures and experience in the northern whale-fishery became a frequent topic of conversation This was the entle disposition to embark in this, to them, _new_ department of co on the point of retiring from the command of the Resolution, was infor a new and satisfactory connection with some of the firstport

The associates, originally, were, I believe, George Robertson and William Forsyth (of the house of Messrs Robertson, Forsyth, and Co), and David Hyde, Esquires, ithequal, or one-fourth shares, constituted the new fir Company”