The Wilmingtonian., 1823-12-18

and habtuating men to idleness, vain
thoughts. and disturbing passions, when
they are past, as well as while they are
used."-Chief Justice Hale.
ALEXANDER SELKIRK.
Alexander Selkirk was born at Largo,
in the county of Fife, about tina year 1876,
and was bred seaman. He went from
England, in l7Os, in the capacity Of sail
ing master of small vessel called The
Cinqne Ports Galley, Charles Pickering.
captain, burthened about 90 tons, with l6
guns 6s men; and in September the same
year sailed from Cork, in company with
another ship of &c guns and 1870 men call
ed the St. George, commanded by that ia
nous navigator, William Dampier, inten-
ding to cruize against the Spanards in the
South Sea. On the coast OF Brazil, Pick
ering died, and was succeeded in his COM
mand by his Lieut.. Thomas Stradling.-
They proceeded on their voyage round
Cape Horn, to the island of Juan Fernan-
dez, whence they we're driven by the ap-
pearance of two French ships, of Sc guns
each, and left five of Stradling's men there
on shore, who were taken oifby the French
Hence they sailed to the coast of Ameri.
ca, where Dampier and Stradling quarrel.
led and separated by agreement, on the
9th of May. l7o4. In September follow.
ling, Strading came again to the island Of
Juan Fernandez, where Selkirk and fis
captain had difference, which, with the
circumstance of the ships being very leaky
!, and in bad condition, induced him to de-
.Itermine on staying there alone but wher
his companions were about to depart, his
resolution was shaken, and he desired t.
be taken on board agair. Happily for hin
the captain then refused to admit him, ant
he was obliged to remain, having nothing
, but his clothes, bedding, a gun, and ;
small quantity of powder and ball
: Ihatchet, knife and kettle; his books and
, mathematical and nautical instrum ents
), He kept up his spirits toerably, till he say
/, the vessel put of, when, as he atterward.
j., related. his heart yearned within him, ant
melted at parting with his comrades ant
! human society at once.
believe me, Areas;
: Such is the rooted love be bear mankind,
e All rufiians as they were, never heard
. A sound so dis nal as their parting OARS"
S The Cinque Ports was run on shore
! few months afterwards the captain an
e crew, to save their lives, surrendered them
selves prisoners to the Spaniards, VIII
t treated them SO harshly, that they were il
a much worse situation than Selkirk, an
continued in it longer time. Some month
after Sekirk left the South Sea in tn
Dutch privateer. Capt. Stradling was sen
j. prisoner to Europe on board Frenc
e ship, and by that means got to Eng glant
d Thus left sole monarch of the Island witt
eIplenty of the necessaries of life, he foun
i himself in situation hardly supportabl'
8. He had fish, goat's-flesh, turnips, and othe
% vegetables; yet ye grew detected, langu't
n; and melancholy, to such degree, as
Ie be scarce able to refrain from doing viz
IS lence to himself. Eighteen months pass
ID ed before he could by reasoning. readin
lyIhis bible, and study, be thoroughly recor
is ciled to his condition. At length he gre
, ;Ihappy, employing himself in decoratin
lie his huts. chasing the goats, whom he
DC qualled in speed, and scarcely ever talle
ye Of catching. He also tamen young kid
be aiming them to prevent their becomiI
m wild /; and he kept guard Of tame ca
IT. about him, to defend him when asle'
a from the rats, who we're very troublesom
,e, When his clothes were worn out. he MAJ
others of goat skins, but could not succe'
ir, in making shoes, which, however. habit
Ia time enabled him to dispense with the u
ou of. He drank nothing but water.
ing computed that he had caught thousa'
lt.' .'|goats during his abode there, of which
,u.' let 90 five hundred, after marking the
By by Sitting their ears. Commodore A
Irs. sons people who were there about thir
ley years after. found the first goat which tn