face of the waves, close to and around us; this
inspired the crew with hopes, as they supposed it to be a good omen.
It remained hovering near our unfortunate wreck for some minutes,
until it alighted on the waves, where it was seen riding perfectly at
ease, and with the majesty of a fine large swan, now on the summit of
a tremendous mountain of waters, and now in the ravines of a wide and
deep abyss. At length darkness once more encompassed us around, and
seemed to shut us out from even a ray of hope; the desponding few,
whose senses were still left them, apparently felt with more acuteness
than before, the desperation and horrors of their condition. At the
hour of eight P.M., however, the wind suddenly changed from south-east
to south-west, and soon appeared to be dying away. At this happy
circumstance, whereby a prospect of deliverance from the very depths
of despair was opened to us, the feelings manifested by the crew were
as singular as they were various; some shouted for joy--some
cried--others muttered prayers--while a few were still despondent,
presenting wild and savage-looking features, and seeming to regret
that the billows had not swallowed them up.--_Adventures of
Naufragus_.

* * * * *

DAMP BEDS.

Clean sheets are not remarkably common at common inns, where, I am
informed, that the practice is to take them from the bed, sprinkle
them with water, to fold them down, and then put them in a press. When
they are wanted again, they are, literally speaking, shewn to the
fire, and in a reeking state laid on the bed. The traveller is tired
and sleepy, dreams of that pleasure or that business which brought him
from home, and the remotest thing from his mind is, that from the very
repose which he fancies has refreshed him, he has received the
rheumatism. The receipt, therefore, to sleep comfortably at inns, is
to take your own sheets, to have plenty of flannel gowns, and to
promise, and take care to pay, a handsome consideration for the
liberty of choosing your beds. Damp beds are oftenest found in inns
that are least visited; they ought to be carefully avoided, for they
not only produce dreadful disorders, but have often proved the death
of the person who has had the misfortune to sleep in them. Especially
in winter, not only examine the beds, to see whether they are quite
dry, but have the bedclothes in your presence put before the fire.
Just before you go to bed, order a pa