south, making us all night about
ten knots. The Captain complains of the alterations made in this line of
packets, since one of the old captains took a share. The seamen have ten
or twelve dollars per month; the Captain is obliged to take a fourth
share; a loss if only two or three passengers; six or seven about pay
with a fair cargo. This is Captain Wilson's 97th crossing; only 36 years
old; went to sea at fourteen; married about four years ago a French lady
at Bordeaux, the father American, with the mother French; two children.
A very wet disagreeable day, so that we could not take the usual
exercise on deck, and yet tempted to eat more by way of pastime. At
dinner one or two Yankees found great fault with my saying "A good deal
of factories," declaring it to be bad English, in which Mr. Frankland
also acquiesced, thinking it improper to apply the word "deal" to
numbers; a deal of money, but not a deal of guineas. I admitted it might
be more elegant, though the other was not inaccurate. (See "Johnson's
Dic.")

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5TH.

Little or no wind, and that against us all night so that we have made no
way. After all it is best to have the calm at night, more especially as
we approach the coast where we may expect to meet more ships. Passed a
brig going to the east. A number of porpoises, some of the older
attended by their young. Read four or five more of Cobbett's "Sermons."
A good deal of conversation about the New York Banks, assisted by the
Yankees who would be ready to condemn the reading of Hamilton. Yesterday
at 2 had made 252 miles in 24 hours: 272 the most that was ever done by
Captain Wilson.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 6TH.

Did not get up till eight as I had not slept so well in consequence of
the ship rolling a good deal. Found we have only been going five or six
knots during the night. All forenoon the wind light, not more than 4
knots per hour. Went upon deck after nine and was much amused at seeing
the porpoises; some could be heard at a distance pushing through the
water and soon pass the ship; others would come close to the vessel
sometimes two abreast, then would separate and one come with such force
that I thought I could almost feel it hit the vessel. Played at
Shuffleboard which is done by sliding circular boards upon nine squares
with figures making 15 each way.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7TH.

Did not rise till eight; a brilliant morning but found as expected,
that we had had only light winds and m