th, already weakened by the
sufferings she had undergone, was totally unprepared to bear up
against a trial from which the strongest of the crew might have
shrunk; but it turned out otherwise. The robust, healthy woman, with
her feeble companion, left the wreck together, the former bearing in
her arms an infant of nine months old. No doubt many a ready arm was
stretched forth to assist them in their perilsome journey. But man
could have done but little against the piercing winter's blast with
which they had to contend. Before they had proceeded half the
distance, the child was frozen in its mother's arms, and ere long the
mother herself sunk on the snow, fell into a state of stupor, and
died. Not so the delicate invalid; sustained by help from above, she
still pursued her way, and ere long gained with others the hospitable
shore. The inhabitants of the village received the strangers with
great kindness, and did everything in their power to alleviate their
sufferings. The ship's company were distributed amongst them for the
night, but the poverty of the place afforded them little more than
shelter.

The next morning a general muster was made, and it was ascertained
that, of the whole company, twelve seamen, a woman, and her child,
only were missing; these had either been frozen to death, or had died
from the effects of cold, and the loss was small when compared with
the hardships they had suffered. Several men had their legs and
fingers frozen, but through proper medical treatment they all
recovered.

The storm lasted without intermission till the night of the 5th, and
during that time the crew of the Proserpine were suffering much from
the want of necessary food, clothing, &c. Provisions were so scarce
that they were all put upon short allowance; and their scanty store
being nearly exhausted, it became absolutely necessary that part of
them should proceed to Cuxhaven.

They learnt that at low water it was possible to get to Cuxhaven on
foot; and as some of the islanders offered their services as guides,
and the tide served, it was settled that the first lieutenant and half
the officers and men should start with the guides on the morning of
the 6th.

Mr. Grenville being very anxious to proceed on his mission to Berlin,
determined to accompany the party, with the secretary to the embassy,
and some of the servants; and they accordingly all set off at eight
o'clock in the morning, the severity of the weather having so