Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-02-23
scribblings by the Way. No. 8.
From our Correspondent.
ATLANTIC OCEAN, Aug. 2, so.

| MEssRs-How vain are human calculations
/ pleased myself ten days ago with the belief
that seasickness was about over. "Alas
Alas II" as woe.begone bachelor said when
asked what was wanted to make him happy.
have no reference to you, gentlemen, though if
it became me to say it, might suggest that il
you are ever troubled with ennui or blues the
same prescription might answer. Don't turn
upon me and say " Physician heal myself" for
| am going to take the medicine, just as soon as
| can get it Of good quality. Here then is a
race for you. Just as soon as possible | shall
send you paper in which will be an article un-
der a certain head. commencing, 4" On the - inst.
by Rev. Mr." &c. IF either Of you accomplish
the great object first, why, then, of course, III
knock under to you. But think | shall wait
at least till get to Rio Janerio. If don't 60
off with the seasickness was talking about be-
fore get there, | shall probably then wait a
little longer. BY the by, that seasickness-
dreadful, horrible and doleful. For about a
week was like Paul in one respect, if no 9TH
err; scarcely knew whether was in the body
or out. Is there any thing in the world equal
to it, to make a man stupid and despairing, and
careless whether he lives or dies. If there is,
let me give it wide berth forever.
Aug. 10. The weather is growing warm
We ran ont of our course considerably at first,
until we had passed the Bermudas, our ship was
then hauled up to about E. s. E., until we made
the vicinity of the Cape Verd Islands. We had
4 stiff NORTHEASTERN most Of this time, though it
occasionally veered, and once or twice came dead
in our teeth for short time. We then headed
eastery, and even for few hours ut one time
our course was about N. E. To-day we are
standing about southeast
Aug. IL. The object of so much casting in
the voyage to Cape Horn via. Rio, is that we
get the trade winds better If you examine the
map of South America, you see that it has the
shape of foot. Cape Horn is the toe, Cape
ST. Rogue the heel while the ankle is at the
lsthmus. If vessel in passing from our coun-
try to Rio hogs Cape ST. Rogue they always
find trouble, and head winds. Indeed it is gen.
orally difficult to make Rio from the Cape with
out standing eastward for some time. Hence
vessels generally pass to the northward and
eastward of Bermuda, long distance, running
south and east until they near the coast of AT
RIGA.
Aug. Is We are nearing the equator. The
sun rose this morning with that soft half-haze,
so common at sea within the tropics, and shot
down luxurious velvety sort of ray, that
would not cast shadow enough to cloud the
face of young six months widow. But like
that pretty face, it soon broke out into as bright
smile as tropical affection could wish. But alas
how mutabe-not the face nor the young wild
ow-dear reader, but the weather. really be-
lieve we are getting into the " Doldrums." The
wind is easterly, j. e., if there is any, which is
about half the time. We scarcely make any
progress, and shall be till next year getting to
Rio, at this rate. But patience
Aug. l6 More wind. 1t rose in the night.
In the morning & thunder shower knocked it on
the head, and it lay two hours without kicking.
At last it began to show signs of life, but fittul
and uncertain and staggering at first, like man
recovering from blow Along towards noon
it was fully restored, and seemed disposed to
make up for its lost time. We are now making
good progress, and hope soon to be where |
never was before, in the southern hemisphere.
Aug. 90. We have been standing due south,
or nearly so for some days, about on the 25th
degree of west longitude. To-day the wind
lulled for a time, but soon sprung up again, and
at o'clock p. Nj. with all sails set and flags
flying, we dashed across the equator.
Yours, H. Fl. E.