Page:Memoirs of Mrs. Harriet Newell.pdf/15

 intercede with God for an absent sister, while sitting at the communion table, where I have often had a seat. I shall devote much of my time to reading while on the water. There is but little variety in a sea life. I have noticed with pleasure that many little articles, which I accidentally brought with me, have contributed much to my comfort.

March 12.— A heavy sea to-day: the waves have repeatedly broken on deck, and rushed with violence down the gang-way into the cabin. Our room has not yet been wet.

March 14— I have been on deck, and seen the sailors take a turtle. They went out in a boat two or three miles, and took it by surprise with their hands. It weighs about twenty pounds. We have learned how to make yeast. We have occasionally flour-bread, nuts, apple-puddings, apple-pies, &c. We have baked and stewed beans twice a week, which you know are favourite dishes of mine, also fowls, ham, &c. We drink tamarind water, porter, cyder, &c. I have been agreeably disappointed respecting our manner of living at sea, though we are not free from inconveniences, by any means.

March 16.— Yesterday morning, religious exercises were performed as usual in the cabin. Several pages in Low's Serious Call read. My thoughts dwell on home, more intensely on the Sabbath than on any other day. The sun rises much earlier here than in Haverhill. At one I think you are going to church.

March 18.— We are now more than 3000 miles from home. I shall even find a melancholy pleasure in calling my mother's house in Haverhill my home, though the Atlantic floods roll between. Long may the best of heaven's blessings rest upon the dwelling, where I have spent my playful years