University of Virginia Library

We have another wet, misty day; the cabin so
damp that I dare not sit in it; I am therefore
obliged, confined as it is, to keep in my own little
room, and upon my bed. I long for the day which
will give us land. Esther makes but a poor hand
at sea. Scarcely a day, but what she is sick some
part of it. I hope she will be the better for it when
she gets on shore. We have but one passenger

whom we should have been willing to have been
without. I have no particular reason to dislike
him, as he is studiously complaisant to me; but
I know his politeness to me is not personally
upon my own account, but because of my connexion,
which gives me importance sufficient to
entitle me to his notice. Abby says he is exactly
such a character as Mr. A—. I really think
there is a striking resemblance. He was always
inquiring, "Who was such a general? What was
his origin and rank in life?" I have felt a disposition
to quarrel with him several times, but have
restrained myself, and only observed to him, mildly,
that merit, not title, gave a man preëminence in
our country; that I did not doubt it was a mortifying
circumstance to the British nobility to find themselves
so often conquered by mechanics and mere
husbandmen; but that we esteemed it our glory to
draw such characters not only into the field, but into
the Senate; and I believed no one would deny that
they had shone in both. All our passengers enjoyed
this conversation, and the gentleman was civil enough
to drop the subject; but the venom spits out very
often; yet the creature is sensible and entertaining
when upon indifferent subjects. He is a haughty
Scotchman; he hates the French, and upon all occasions
ridicules them and their country. I fancy,
from his haughty airs, that his own rank in life has
not been superior to those whom he affects to despise.
He is not a man of liberal sentiments, and is
less beloved than any passenger we have on board.
A man's humor contributes much to the making him
agreeable or otherwise. Dark and sour humors,
especially those which have a spice of malevolence
in them, are vastly disagreeable. Such men have
no music in their souls. I believe he would hardly
be so complaisant, if he knew how meanly I thought
of him; but he deserves it all; his whole countenance
shows his heart.