page 166

Chap. V.

On our arrival in this kingdom, my eyes were delighted with the fight of corn-fields, (as well as page 167pasture grounds) hedge-row inclosures, farm houses, and country seats; with the prospect of a large and populous city at a distance: In short, every thing demonstrated that 1 was again got into a civilised country. When we landed, Tourabow conducted me to the house of Lurgofage, a near relation of my friend; who after he had read the letter I had presented to him, clasped me in his arms, and received me in so affectionate a manner, that it plainly appeared to be no common letter of recommendation which I had delivered. He insisted on my taking up my abode with him, and always behaved to me with the warmest friendship. When I had got a little settled with him, my other letters were delivered; and every one page 168received me equally well; they were all considerable merchants, and they seemed such worthy and friendly people, that I thought myself got among a superior rank of beings. My time was spent among them in the most agreeable manner, walking over the different parts of the town, always in the company of some one or more of their families; in dining and supping alternately with them, and in agreeable and improving conversation. In the last, while I informed them of particulars concerning my country, and travels; I was myself made acquainted with many things about theirs, which I was yet ignorant of. They were at this time governed by a Queen, named Tudorina, who was possessed of abilities, steadiness, and magnanimity, that far page 169surpassed most of the Kings her predecessors. By her prudent choice of Ministers, and the wife tenor of her administration, she had extricated herself out of many difficulties, kept her kingdom in peace, encouraged trade and manufactures, and was laying the foundation of a maritime power. All these things had their due merit, with a virtuous and sensible people; she was not only respected and obeyed, but in a manner adored by them. This was a happy conjuncture for a stranger, who wanted to be employed in the naval service. My excellent friend at Seripante, had recommended in all his letters, that they would think of the properest method of turning to my advantage, the discovery of many improvements in Navigation, and page 170preserving the health of sea-men, made by my countrymen, which I had it in my power to disclose; and this had very much occupied their thoughts ever since my arrival. One day when they were met at dinner at Lurgofage's upon this subject; when the affair was brought on the carpet, and different means were proposed; Minofrage said he was very well acquainted with the secretary to Howarow the Lurgow Amorow, (Lord Admiral) and if they approved, he would mention it to him; who probably would either introduce me to the Lurgow Amorow himself, or advise what should be done. This was agreed to, and two days after I had an invitation to dine at Minofrage's to meet the secretary. It may naturally be supposed he page 171wanted to judge himself whether I merited the character had been given, of me. He seemed a sensible man, and was very minute in his inquiries, especially of things in the naval department. I was very open, and explicit, and suppose his report of me was favourable; as in a day or two after, he came to Lurgofage's, and offered to introduce me to the Lurgow Amorow the next morning. That great officer was attended by some of the principal commanders, who all received me with great goodness. The conference was long, as the subject was very extensive; every particular respecting ship-building, victualing, sailing, fighting, arms, anchorage, &c. &c. was inquired into; and I gave them as satisfactory answers as my memory served me with; page 172telling them also, what defects I had observed in the ship which brought me from Seripante, and in the manner of navigating her. Some days passed, without our hearing any thing of the result of this conference; but at last a message came from the great Burlohow, the Treasurer and first Minister, desiring to see me two days after. This we thought looked well, and I made my appearance at the time appointed. He had a winning affable address, that made you soon forget you was in the presence of the great man; but so penetrating an eye, that he looked into your very soul He began with naval affairs, but did not confine himself to that subject; drawing me in to give an account of our wars for a century past; the page 173expence of them, how the money was raised, our public funds, national debt, &c. When I had given the best account that, one so little versed in these matters was capable of; he said, that the trade of my country must be very extensive, and its opulense very great, to bear such an immenccse load of debt; but it was a dangerous practice, and he hoped the Bonhommicans would never be led, from any necessity of state, to begin any thing similar to it; as from the experience of my country, it appeared very difficult for a nation to extricate itself out of such a situation. He then in a very gracious manner dismissed me, promising to mention me favourably to her Majesty. I now thought there was an end to my catechisings, but was mistaken; for some page 174time after, a message came to me from the Treasurer, desiring me to be at court on an appointed day, as the Queen wanted to see me. I got a proper dress made in all haste, and attended by some of my friends presented myself. A Lurgow in waiting introduced me into her Majesty's closet, where she appeared with such a dignity of aspect and deportment, that I was struck with an awe which I found it difficult to recover from. She observed it, and putting on a milder look, said, Stranger, I have been informed, you come from a highly civilised country, on the other side of the world, and that you have met with extraordinary adventures. I was curious to see you, and hear them, therefore ordered you to appear before me; but fear nothing, page 175I am prepossessed in your favour, from what my ministers have already told me, and believe you will be of use to me in my navy; therefore relate to me your adventures, as if you was only in company with your equals. This condescension in her Majesty removed the awe that had seised me, and I obeyed her with more resolution than I thought myself capable of. When I had finished, she asked me a great many questions about Great Britain, and particularly about their Majesties, commanding me to give my real opinion of them without reserve, saying, there was no danger of its ever coming to their ears. When I had complied, and given the character of them, which in my opinion, and that of all candid men, was really their due, recount-page 176ing also their numerous progeny, she held up her hands in great raptures; crying out, O happy people! blessed with such a King and such a succession! but all at once she turned to me and said, are they happy? I answered, They might be so if they pleased, but factions ran high, pretended patriots abused the peoples credulity, and—I understand you, said she; your King is too good for them; they ought to have one that would make them fear him. If I was your Queen, I would soon curb their licentiousness; men cannot bear too much liberty.

After that, she enquired about the manners and dresses of our women, and I gave as faithful an account as was in my power, from my small acquaintance with polite company. She page 177then said, I perceive your nation is following exactly the steps of all rich and powerful kingdoms; luxury has got in among you, and will soon destroy you; but there is no liability in this world, exclaimed she, with a sigh!

She then concluded my audience by saying, she settled a pension of two hundred tudorines yearly on me; and that she would likewise employ me in her service. But as she had been informed, that my countrymen had been in search of the southern continent, and that I wished to make a voyage to it; she would give directions to the Lurgow Amorow, not to appoint me to any ship, till the season approached for the fleets sailing to Luxo-volupto. In the mean time, continued she, I will appoint page 178proper persons to confer with you, on the different reformations which may be made in my navy, by the instructions it is in your power to give them. She then dismissed me, in great admiration of her good sense, and deep penetration; as well as much satisfied with her bounty, which prevented me from continuing a burthen to my friends. In weight of gold it was only equal to one hundred pounds English money; but in Ludorow would go as far as three times that sum in Britain.

The Drawing which I had learned, and very much practised for my amusement, became now of considerable use to me. The Lurgow Amorow being desirous to know, what were our ideas of beauty in the form of a ship, as well as what we page 179reckoned best calculated for swift sailing; with many other particulars, which no idea could be given of by description; made me therefore endeavour to supply that defect by drawings.

I set to work then, and drew a ship of sixty guns (which, in my opinion, was larger than any they were soon likely to have), from memory, in the best way I possibly could. She was represented in different appearances and situations; and therefore took up a good deal of time. The first was her hull, as complete, and lying in ordinary. The second, a section of her. The third, when rigged. The fourth, under sail. Figures with references to each part, were not omitted. And the fifth, were drawings of different parts and orna-page 180ments, which could not be so well understood from their smallness in the ship. These were finished as high as I possibly could, and presented to the Lurgow Amorow; who was extremely well satisfied with them; ordering them to be framed and glazed (after several copies had been taken, for the use of the surveyors of the Dock-Yards), and hung up in the Amoroutow Office as great curiosities. At a conference with the surveyors, I afterwards explained any difficulties they proposed to me, and gave them what farther lights my memory could suggest.

My next meeting was with some sea commanders, and astronomers, concerning the improvements made in England of the mariner's compass and quadrant; as also what progress page 181had been made in the discovery of the longitude; the instrument-makers being ordered to attend. Drawings were here also made use of; and after I had explained to them the advantages of ours, they readily acknowledged their superiority. I need scarcely say, that my quadrant was from the latest improvements on Mr. Hadley's. I also acquainted them, that the needle did not always point to the north; and that to whatever cause it was owing, the variation was constantly changing (in every place of the ocean), sometimes in one direction, and sometimes in another. To find out that variation by the mean result of several Azimuth compasses, was what I next endeavoured to teach them; and had the satisfaction to think they page 182thoroughly understood me. I gave them also some little insight into the theory of magnetism, with an account of the invention of artificial magnets, now only used, which appeared very surprising to them. My last attempt was to inform them of the progress which had been made, in the discovery of the longitude at sea. I acquainted them with a premium, which had been offered by the British legislature, above half a century ago, of forty thousand tudorines to any person who should make a time-piece that would bear the motion of a ship, and the different degrees of heat and cold, in a voyage to a hot climate above a thousand leagues distant, and back again, without varying above so much time from a good regulator, which was to page 183be kept on shore exactly true to time. That a mechanic of a wonderful natural genius, had spent in a manner his whole life upon it; and had brought it to such perfection, that (after having explained the whole mechanism to proper persons) he had received the premium. I told them, that one of these time-keepers was on board our ship, and was of great use to us. The other method of observing several distances of the sun and moon, with the way of working them, was also mentioned; together with the nautical almanac published by the King's astronomers, which saved a great deal of labour to the sea officers. The astronomers gave great attention to what I delivered, asked many questions for information, and wished to understand page 184me; but I thought it plain, that they were not yet sufficiently advanced in astronomy, to comprehend the principles on which it depended.

It is not to be supposed I could give their watch-makers any insight into the mechanism of the time-piece: but before we broke up, several compasses and quadrants were ordered to be made on my plan, and under my direction.

The third conference was held with the court physicians; in which I gave them an account of our victualling for the voyage, and especially that part of it, which experience had proved to be so efficacious in preventing the salted meat, which acquired some degree of putrefaction, from infecting the mass of blood; and causing that dreadful distemper, page 185so fatal to seamen in long voyages, the sea scurvy.

Our method also of keeping the men clean and the ship well aired, (was not forgot) by ventilators, wind-sails, and what was particularly used by the two ships in the last voyage, by fire.

In the next place, I acquainted them with the method of distilling sea-water, to make it fresh and useful for man, without having occasion to use more fire than was sufficient to dress the victuals of the ship's company.

I lastly gave them an account of another kind of distillation by cold, which our experience had furnished us with, in the last voyage, that also freshened sea-water, and made it wholesome.

page 186

The Doctors were grave, sensible, candid men; they said, the distilling sea-water should be forthwith tried. And that my account of the success of the preservatives from the scurvy, had also so much the appearance of truth, that they would certainly recommend the making trials of them, in the first long voyages which occurred; as all the materials were safe, and could have no bad consequences.

My last conference was with Military men, of both sea and land service, with respect to the improvement of their arms. That nation had known the use of gun-powder for a century past, and had used cannon with success; but their small arms were still clumsy, with ill-contrived locks; and for that reason few of them in their armies; pikes, and bows and arrows, page 187still continuing to be used. I could have wished now to have had my fusee with me for a pattern; but that not being to be had, I was obliged to make the best shift I could with drawings, and by the directions I gave the gun-smiths. The bayonet fixed to the muzzle of the piece, was also recommended as a much better weapon than the pike, and was acknowledged to be so. A musket and bayonet was made under my directions, and though clumsy, as the first attempt must of course be, both from my fault and the gun-smiths, was yet greatly admired by the officers; and by her Majesty's order many hands were set to work, to furnish the magazines with some thousands of them. Orders were also given to write to the merchants of Seripante, to endea-page 188vour to recover my fusee from Uncomia at any price, as a more perfect model.

These were the principal improvements which I endeavoured to explain to them; but there were several others, which for brevity's sake are here omitted; such as the log-line, chain, pumps, the method of bending timber by steam, &c. &c.

It was truly admirable to see, with what candour every one of these worthy men behaved with regard to me; no little jealousy or self-interest influenced them; but, with an open honesty, they acknowledged, after due examination, the superiority of our methods to their own. And seemed happy that Bonhommica had made such acquisitions by the accident of my coming among them; which might otherwise have taken centuries page 189to have found out, in the common course of things.

I afterwards found, that their reports to the ministers, had exactly answered what they had given me reason to expect. Her Majesty sent for me to court, and after graciously telling me how much her ministers were satisfied with the reports made by the different persons who had conferred with me, ordered me two hundred tudorines as a present to fit me out for my voyage to Luxo-volupto, which she said would not now be long of taking place.

I now became almost as great a favourite with the Lurgow Amorow and many of the other Lurgows, as I have been told my friend Omai was here.

page 190

I had the honour to be invited frequently to dine and sup at their houses; where the entertainment was always plentiful, but the cookery simple and plain: no high seasoned ragouts, no made dishes appeared there. The wines were good, but drank in great moderation^*

There was always a proper mixture of the sexes at table, but great decorum kept up. The men, sensible and frank; the women, modest and reserved. No little scandal, or malicious reflections passed the women's lips, with respect to other women; but they, as well as the men, were very ready to speak of a commendable action done by any one. I shall page 191mention some of that nature, which I heard talked of at different times; without any very extraordinary praise, but as things common enough.

A Physician who had attended a lady for a considerable time, ill of a distemper; by the turn it took, plainly perceived he had mistaken the case; nature having relieved the patient in a way that could never have happened, if it had been as he supposed. Neither the lady, nor her friends, had any doubt but the salutary turn in her favour, was occasioned by the medicines he had prescribed. The physician however returned the fees he had received; owning honestly, that he had been mistaken, and could not possibly retain money, he was conscious of having no right to.

page 192

Another still more extraordinary was, of an Attorney, who, by a mistake, made by him in a writing, had lost a client his law-suit. The client was not sensible on what the cause turned, nor in the least blamed him; he honestly however paid him all that he had occasioned the loss of.

I shall mention but one more. A man had been left a considerable estate by a relation, on the presumption that he was his nearest of kin. The testator dying, he was put in possession. Sometime after which he learned by accident, that there was one yet nearer to the deceased than himself; and being convinced it was the donor's intention to leave it to the heir at law, he sent for him, honestly made a deed in his favour, and immediately resigned it.

page 193

My being caressed by the Courtiers and Lurgows (or Nobility), did not however make me neglect my good friends the Merchants; or forget the worthy Ouragow who recommended me to them. Oh the contrary, I paid them more attention than before, being sensible that my present happy situation was in a great measure their work. When I got my pension, my intention was to remove from Lurgofage's house to a lodging; that I might no longer be a burthen to him: but he would not hear of it, so I still lived with him.

The simplicity of manners that prevailed in Ludorow, was the cause that there were no places of dissipation in that capital. No taverns, coffee-houses, ball-rooms, concert-rooms, &c. &c.; but there was a page 194theatre. That indeed was but of a short standing; the size small, the decorations poor, and prices low.

I frequently went to it, and took notice, that the modesty and reserve of the sex, had prevented women from appearing on the scene; this to me, who had been accustomed to see women actresses in the theatres of England, had an unnatural appearance; but I soon became reconciled to it. Where men wear the ornament on their chins which nature has provided them with, a close shaved, smooth faced young man, who accustoms himself to imitate the behaviour of a woman, may be easily conceived to be one: and in my opinion, virtue and decency would have been much promoted in England, if that custom had still continued there. page 195For it must be apparent to every body, that scarcely one woman actress has appeared with any pretence to beauty, who has had the least regard to her character; nor been the less esteemed by the pnblic for that reason.This has certainly had a bad effect on female manners, and made them look On crimes of that nature with less horror. But to return to the theatre of Ludorow.

The actors in general were far from Contemptible, but they had few good dramatic poets. He who far surpassed the rest was an actor, and in that capacity, of very little merit: that was a reason why his productions were less esteemed than they really deserved. I had been one evening to see a new play of his, in company with Lurgofage and others of page 196my friends. It went off extremely well, and I was charmed with it; however there were not wanting critics, who found fault with many parts; and which could not easily be defended. One of these supped with us at my friends, where the piece came naturally to be talked of; he loudly blamed the irregularity of the play; said there was no plot, no contrivance, no moral; but just a story taken from a novel, and put into dialogue; shifting from place to place, and taking up years in the acting. All these objections are very just, answered another; and certainly plays may be contrived more artfully; and to represent actions to our view with more probability. But that may be done merely by care and industry, without the least spark of page 197genius: Avonswan's excellency, is his knowledge of the human heart, and the passions. Added to those, the most poetical diction, and finest flights of fancy; and I dare venture to prophecy, that when the man is no longer in view, and his profession become more honourable, that posterity will do him justice I own my sentiments were exactly the same, and genius so seldom making its appearance, many things ought to be forgiven it when it does.

I was now informed by the Lurgow Amorow, that he had appointed me Carrogow (Post Captain) to her Majesty's ship Ardefow, of forty guns; under the Quadarow Moraveres: desiring me to call for my commission, and take the oaths required. He said, page 198she was to sail to Luxo-volupto as part of the convoy; that being necessary, (though the nation was in full peace), to prevent her Majesty's subjects, from being insulted by the Armoserian privateers.

I told him in answer, that my intentions were to serve so bountiful a Queen, and worthy a Nation, with all zeal and fidelity. But before I engaged myself, there were two conditions, which I earnestly wished might be granted me. He desired to know what they were; I replied, liberty of conscience in religion, and permission to depart, whenever an opportunity offered, to carry me to my own country. After a little consideration, he said, I ought to present a memorial to the Queen upon these page 199subjects, as he could not grant them, without an express order from her. I followed the Lurgow Amorow's advice, and presented one to this effect. Setting forth her Majesty's great goodness, in taking me into her service; which I embraced with the greatest joy, and should serve her with all zeal and fidelity. But hoped her Majesty would have the goodness, to allow me liberty of conscience in religious matters. And having also a great love for my native country, and no chance of being conveyed thither, but by accidentally meeting at sea with an European ship; that her Majesty would have the goodness to give orders, that if such an opportunity offered, I should have the liberty of departing, without incurring her displeasure by so doing.

page 200

She read my memorial directly, without referring it to her Ministers; and in answer to it said, as to religion, every one in her kingdom enjoyed liberty of conscience; which she thought an absolute essential to a free people. Besides, said she, we all believe in the unity of the godhead as well as you christians. With respect to the other part of it, I like you the better, continued she, for having an attachment to your native country, where your family and connections are: if you had not; how could I expect you would have any for me, or my people. I will not only give the orders desired, said she; but if no opportunity should offer, I give you my royal word, that after having served me faithfully for seven page 201years, I will send a ship with you to the Cape of Good Hope, where I understand by your narrative, you may have frequent opportunities of returning to your own country; and no doubt you can easily conduct the vessel to that place. This filled me with such joy and gratitude, that I fell on my knees to thank her: she smiled, and graciously held out her hand for me to kiss. I went now and took the oaths; after which, my commission was given me, in which I was stiled Equihow or esquire. My next business was, to pay my respects to Moraveres, under whom I was to serve. He was the Quadarow or Commodore of this fleet, and was to carry a mark of distinction. He received me as well as I possibly could have desired; expressing the great satis-page 202faction he should have in conversing with me, on the manners and customs of my country; and especially in seeing the great improvements, which had been made by them in naval affairs, put by me into practice. I replied, that it was my great happiness to be appointed to serve under so great an officer, and worthy a man. That it would always give me infinite satisfaction to communicate any thing to him, that could in the least contribute to the good of the service. For that purpose I begged his permission to have the direction of fitting out the ship, and that the principal officers in each department, might have orders to furnish me with masts, sails, rigging, anchors, cables, &c. &c. according to the dimensions, and quality, I should demand. He ans-page 203wered, That it would give him great pleasure to see the Ardefow fitted out exactly in our manner; but having no power to order it of himself, all he could do, was to join me in making application to the Lurgow Amorow for an order to that purpose; and he had no doubt of our obtaining it. He judged right; when it was mentioned to that Minister, he said it was the very thing he had been thinking of; and all he necessary orders should immediately be given to that end; as well as for victualling her in the manner I had mentioned for a long voyage.

It may naturally be supposed that I did not sail to exert myself on this occasion; and fortunately I succeeded not only to my own satisfaction, but that of the ablest sailors in that coun-page 204try. The ship was constantly filled with them; and I had numberless explanations to make; which (tho' often quite tired and vexed), I endeavoured to do with patience and temper. The fame of the Ardefows equipment extended itself; many of the Lurgows visited her; and at last, a message came to the Quadarow from the Lurgow Amorow, that her Majesty would dine on board of her two days after. Great preparations were made for this entertainment, and as sumptuous a one provided, as the time and place would admit. Her Majesty came down the river in one of the royal barges, attended by several others full of courtiers of both sexes; and on coming on board, was saluted by the Ardefow, and all the ships in the river. She then examined page 205the ship very narrowly, and had all the improvements explained to her; which she almost as readily comprehended, as many of the sea officers; expressing great satisfaction with the alterations which had been made. With the Quadarow's permission, I resolved to surprise her Majesty and the court, with giving them a short sail on the river. The anchors were a-peak, and while they were at dinner, the sails were set with as little noise as possible, without being in the least perceived by the company. The first information they had of it, was the noise made by the rudder. Upon which, every body ran upon deck, and at last her Majesty appeared there; who said, laughing to me, that she feared I was a dangerous traitor, since I had the boldness in page 206open day to carry off the Queen and Court; and she would have me punished for it. I answered her Majesty, that imagining she intended seeing every improvement which had been made, it was necessary to put the ship under sail for that purpose. We went only about a league down the river, and then returned to our former station. Soon after which the Queen and Court departed, seemingly very well satisfied with their entertainment.

Every thing being now ready for sailing, I went to court to take leave. Her Majesty said to me, I wish you a good voyage; take care of your morals among the Luxo-voluptans, and when you return, I will intrust you with a ship intirely under your own command. I took a most affec-page 207tionate leave of my friends the Merchants, and left a letter for Ouragow to go with the fleet to Seripante.

We sailed from the river Tourarow September 3d, 1775, with a fair wind. The convoy consisted of thirty-six Merchant ships, and there were two frigates of war, one of 28 guns, and another of 22, under the Quadarow's command. He left me the intire direction of the ship, and was pleased to see, with what alertness I soon brought the crew to go through all their manœuvres.

Our course was west quarter north. As nothing particular happened in the voyage, I shall not trouble the reader with it. November 1st, we made the land of Luxo-volupto early page 208in the morning: I heard them cry out land! land! and ran upon deck to view it, but could see nothing but a blue cloud. I afterwards went up to the mast head, and still could see nothing like the appearance of land. When I came down on the deck, and insisted they were mistaken; Moraveres smiled, and said, there was a peculiarity in the appearance of that land, which he never saw in any other; and it was by that means they always knew it. It puts on the appearance of a blue cloud, continued he, as if it wanted to conceal itself. Perhaps, pursued he, it is that which deceived Captains Cook and Furneaux your countrymen, and made them miss it.

We came to an anchor with the whole fleet, in the harbour of Miro-page 209volante, November 4th; having been just two months and one day in our voyage.