more resigned to my unhappy fate, being in hopes || of rain, and supplied with a little more fresh that Providence would release me the next day, water. I saw two vessels pass at a great disand with little or no sleep, prayer was my only

resource.

"Second Day.-At the dawn of this day, I went out in search of food; but could not find any, not even a blade of grass, a weed, or a limpet. It has been reported that I had limpets, but this is without foundation; every body who has seen the rock, well knows that there are none there, nor any other article which could possibly be converted into food Hunger became violent;

but there was no other resource but the salt water, which made me worse.

"Third Night.-Part of the third night I spent in prayers, and at day-break of the

"Third Day-I again traversed the rock, in search of food, and found an egg; but could not it being eat it, as it was in a very putrid state : out of season for birds to lay. It rained on this day, which enabled me to get a little fresh water. Hunger became more violent; and rendered me restless the whole of this day and during the

"Fourth Night-My distresses no tongue can describe!

"Fourth Day. I wandered about, searching every crevice of the rock: I saw a small piece of the bark of a tree, about the size of a man's hand, which had been washed on the rock by the sea. I looked at it as if astonished at the great blessing, took it up, and eat it as if it had been the greatest luxury! Notwithstanding the sun had dried up all its moisture, still it in some measure satisfied nature, and hunger now, for a time, left me.

“Fifth Night.—Night drawing on, I again laid myself down to sleep; but was continually alarmed by what bad troubled me before, black lizards crawling over my face, and being ignorant of the harmlessness of those creatures, I remained restless the whole of that night!

"Fifth Day.-Thirst became more violent than before. I now found the value of my shipmate's last gift, which was the knife before-mentioned. With this I cut the quills from the feathers which were shed from the sea-birds (some of which are called boobies), which visit the rock, and by the assistance of these I was enabled to suck the rainwater from the crevices, which was not to be got at any other way!

"Sixth Night.-The refreshment I got from the rain enabled me to take some little repose. "Sixth Day.—I was refreshed by more showers

tance.

"Seventh Night.-On this night the heavens were as light as noon-day, arising from a continuation of strong flashes of lightning, which were followed by violent claps of thunder! The awfulness of this night was beyond description. Think what must have been my feelings to be without food, without cloathing, and even with- out a human being to sympathize with me in my sufferings. I gave myself up to despair, and earnestly prayed God to release me from my misery!

"Seventh Day.-On this day, in the moning, a ship hove in sight, which gave me fresh hopes; but they were soon banished by her steering another course, when she soon disappeared. I found myself now more forlorn, more miserable, and more hopeless than ever. Overcome with weakness, and being nearly exhausted, I became more resigned to my fate, and ended the lingering day in prayers!

"Eighth Night.-Heavy dews and very cold; but no hole nor cavern to creep into ; yet on the

Eighth Day-The rock was so hot by the heat of the sun, that it was almost insupportable. I stripped myself of my jacket and trowsers, and bathed myself in the puddles of salt water which lodged in parts of the rock, and which were thrown there by sprays of the sea. This I had done before, and it relieved me much, and I laid me down and had some repose.

"Ninth Night-was not so cold as some of the preceding nights, which enabled me to sleep the greater part of it. Providence must have ordained it to enable my strength to support me in the exertions I used in hailing the schooner Adams, Captain John Dennis, from Martinique, bound for Marblehead, in America. This was the wel come vessel, that on the ninth day, at half-past two in the afternoon, released me from my sufferings!!

"As soon as the light returned the next morning, worn out as I was, yet being still on the alert, I was in a transport of joy, and felt as if I knew she was coming to release me from my hortible situation. Raised with hope, and yet distressed with the anxiety of making myself seen, I walked to and fro, waving my hat, for I had done the same in vain on several former occasions.-The Captain, John Dennis, had no business near the rock, and therefore Providence

able, prolonged our passage, and it was five weeks before we reached Marblehead, by which time I had recovered some strength. When we arrived at Marblehead, Joseph Dickson, the mate, kindly took me to his house, and kept me nearly three weeks, until I was able to work. He generously went round to the inhabitants of the town with a paper, for a subscription for me. They came forward to relieve me, some with clothes, and others with money. John Wayman, a butcher, wanting a servant, and I, from my sufferings, being still in a very weak state, gladly went to him for my victuals, and remained with him three weeks. Afterwards I worked for Ziell Dodge, blacksmith, twelve months, at ten dollars per month. About this time the British Consul sent for me to Boston. After several attendances, I was sent on board a trader, lying in the harbour, bound to Halifax. Arriving there, I went to the Secretary's house of Sir John Borlase Warren, who sent me on board the Swiftsure, of 74 guns (the Admiral's ship), for my passage to England. The Thistle schooner being ordered to sail with dispatches, I was sent by her a passenger to Portsmouth, where we arrived after a quick passage of twenty-two days. It is reported that I received £600, in consideration of my sufferings, by which I had bound myself not to exhibit my person. I do acknowledge re

must have led him under the force of curiosity, to
turn out of his course, and lay to all night; for
he afterwards to'd me that he had determined the
preceding night to view it the first thing in the
morning, through his telescope. While he was
thus reconnoitering the rock, he indistinctly per-
ceived me waving my hat, as well as a number of
birds, which were hovering about the rock. From
the motion of the vessel, and the doubtful light
of the morning, which was not far advanced, he
supposed me, as he seriously affirmed, to be of the
feathered tribe, though of an enormous size; but
upon laying closer in, and the light increasing,
the mate, Joseph Dickson, got up in the shrowds,
and soon discovered me to be a human being!!! ||
The boat was immediately lowered, and every
one of the crew, with a countenance of joy,
wished to be the first to man the boat, to save a
fellow-creature, and relieve him from so dreadful
a situation. They had supposed me to be some un-
fortunate mariner who had been wrecked, and
was the only survivor to tell the fate of his un-
happy ship-mates. When they reached the rock,
exhausted from the great exertions I had under-
gone in making signals with my hat, for so
many hours, I sunk down, and rolled into the
arms of the mate, who received me, with the as-
sistance of the boat's crew, into the boat. And
when, with the assistance of the crew, I got on
board, the Captain, and every one else, got round
me with the most tender concern, supposing me
shipwrecked. I related, that my Captain had
put me on that rock, for taking about a couple
quarts of spruce beer, and told them of my suf-
ferings there! They were struck, as it were, for
some time speechless. As soon as they recovered
themselves, they one and all, wished the Captain
might have the same punishment for his cruelty,
for they considered it worse than death. Their
humane and never-to-be-forgotten attention, was
now directed to the relief of their unfortunate
stranger. They gave me the best nourishment
the vessel afforded. I drank first some wine, and
a little water, made warm; but it would not stay
upon my stomach. It was then recollected that
the Captain had three or four days supply of
oranges, which he had lately taken on board.
These, fortunately, with the blessing of God Al-
mighty, restored to me my appetite; and in little
more than a week, I was able to eat more than any
one man in the ship, and my strength increased
a little daily. The weather becoming unfavour-

ceiving the sum; and did sign a paper, but it was merely that I would not prosecute Captain Lake. I do most solemnly declare, that I did not sign any contract, which prevents me from exhibiting my Picture; and if I did, it was never mentioned, or read to me, by Mr. Tatham, Captain Lake's attorney. Some time after I had been sent home, finding no farther notice was taken of my mother, or of me, some gentlemen of Polpero, wrote to the parties, to know what more they meant to do. The answer returned was, It depends upon their future conduct!!! I then, of course, supposed that this was the manner after which they originally intended to fulfil the contract. Let the reader place himself in my situa tion, and say whether I am in any wise culpable in making the present exhibition of my Picture? It is the only mode left me of supplying the deficiency.

"London, May 12, 1811."

0 2

"R. JEFFERY."

108

INCIDENTS

'OCCURRING IN AND NEAR LONDON, INTERESTING MARRIAGES, &c

STATE OF HIS MAJESTY'S HEALTH.

The following Bulletins have been issued since our last Number:

Windsor Castle, 'Aug. 1.-There is no alteration in his Majesty's state since yesterday.

Windsor Castle, Aug. 2-His Majesty has passed a steepless night, and is not quite so wel! this morning.

Windsor Castle, Aug. 3.-His Majesty has bad some sleep in the night, and is as well as he was two days ago.

Windsor Castle, Aug. 4:-The King has had 'several hours sleep in the course of the night, but the symptoms of his Majesty's disorder remain the same.

Windsor Castle, Aug. 5.-There is no alteration in his Majesty's symptoms since yesterday. Windsor Castle, Aug. 6.-There is yet no improvement in his Majesty's symptoms.

Windsor Castle, Aug. 7.-His Majesty has passed a sleepless night, and is not quite so well this morning.

Windsor Castle, Aug. 8.-The King has had several hours sleep in the course of the night. His Majesty appears to be refreshed this morning. Windsor Castle, Ang. 9.-His Majesty is much the same as he was yesterday.

Windsor Castle, Aug. 10.-His Majesty has passed the last twenty-four hours in a more composed manner, but in other respects his Majesty remains the same.

Windsor Castle, Aug. 11.-His Majesty had several hours sleep in the night, and is this morning much as he was yesterday.

Windsor Castle, Aug. 12.-There is no alteration in his Majesty's symptoms.

Windsor Castle, Aug. 13.-His Majesty is no better to-day.

Windsor Castle, Aug. 14.-There is no improvement in his Majesty's symptoms to-day.

Windsor Castle, Aug. 15.-There is no alteration in his Majesty's symptoms since yesterday.

Windsor Castle, Aug. 16.-The King has recovered his usual good appetite, but it is feared by the Doctors that it operates to increase his mental malady.

Windsor Castle, Aug. 17.-His Majesty continues altogether in the same state as he has done for some time past.

(Signed)

R. HENRY HALFORD,
W. HEBERDEN,
M. BAILLIE,
R. WILLIS.

||

MR. SADLER'S ASCENT IN HIS BALLOON. This venerable and intrepid British aeronaut made his seventeenth excursion into the regions of air on Monday, Aug. 12, from the Gardens of the Mermaid Tavern, at Hackney. He was accompanied in his flight by Lieut. Paget, of the Navy. Mr. Sadler being the only English traveller who ever ventured so many times to mount aloft, and the serenity and beauty of the day, occasioned an immense crowd of spectators to flock from all parts of the metropolis, and the adjacent counties, to witness his flight, the road to the Mermaid, at a very early hour, was lined with carriages and horsemen of all descriptions, from the titled Peer to the humble cabbage venders, and with respect to the pedestrian, the same variety of character and description of persons trod the footpath. Upon making the most moderate calculation, the roads contained nearly one hundred thousand persons of all sexes, ages and conditions-The Balloon is precisely the same, only fresh varnished, as when Mr. Sadler ascended at Cambridge; but the car is splendid in the and decorated extreme. It is an entirely new one, in an appropriate manner for the day-the Anni. versary of the Prince Regent's Birth. It is lined with beautiful yellow silk of the richest texture, and fitted up with exquisitely elegant cushions of the same colour; the covering is cotton, of azure blue, studded over with stars of most brilliant appearance; at each end of the car are deposited the Prince Regent's plumes, finely worked in gold cloth. The canopy, which is formed over the car, is of a conical form, composed of rich crimson silk, the base formed by a cornice, to which the Balloon is attached by about thirty golden cords; on the top are six plumes of feathers, forming six sections, each of which is enlivened by sprigs of laurels and gold berries, presenting one of the most superb objects which the ingenuity of man can devise, or which the fancy of the spectator can hope to see realized!—About half past two o'clock Mr. Sadler and Lieutenant Paget passed through the crowd of spectators to the stage, and were received with loud shouts of applause, which was re-echoed from the tops of the surrounding houses, and from the people in the street. twenty minutes before three o'clock they took their seats; Mr. Sadler stepped in first, and the Lieutenant immediately followed. Exactly at eighteen minutes before three o'clock, the signal being made, the men let go their hold, and the

At

Balloon arose in a truly majestic manner, Mr. || Mr. Paget drew the cork of a bottle of Madeira, Sadler and Lieutenant Paget saluting the specta- and the health of the Prince Regent was drunk tors as they ascended, the spectators returning in a bumper. The prospect which at this period, their salute by reiterated shouts of applause. In for the first time, presented itself to the view of this manner the Balloon kept slowly ascending, Mr. Paget, was beyond the power of description; taking a south-east direction for near twenty mi- the capital was at that time pronounced by him to nutes; during the whole of this time the travel- be a small village, nor could he be persuaded to lers were distinctly seen by the naked eye, Mr. the contrary, till the four bridges, namely, LonSadler waving his flag and the Lieutenant waving don, Blackfriars, Westminster, and Battersea, his hat, to the great satisfaction of the spectators. which, from their intercepting the river, were The aeronauts were soon at a sufficient height to rendered more conspicuous than other objects, have an extensive view of the country beneath were pointed out to him by Mr. Sadler; and to them, which was covered with innumerable do justice to the scene which presented itself to crowds of spectators. Mr. Sadler states, that their view at this time, is beyond the power of during this time Mr. Paget remained perfectly language to describe. As the aeronauts conticool and collected, and remained so through the nued their course down the river, they were sawhole of the voyage, and the impression which luted by the discharge of several more pieces of was made upon his mind by this sublime scene, artillery, and at half past three they drunk the for the first time, may more easily be imagined health of all their friends at Hackney, and the than described. He was for some minutes deTower Hamlets Militia. At half past three, Mr. Sadler perceiving that the Balloon was approaching the sea, felt it prudent to look out for a spot Ion which to effect a landing; and in order to cause the Balloon to descend, a quantity of gas was let out by opening the valve. The Balloon then descended till the ships in the river, from Woolwich to the Nore, became perfectly distinguishable. On crossing the river at St. Clement's Reach, the Balloon descended so low, that the travellers distinctly heard persons con

prived of the power of expression, and incapable of communicating his sensations to his companion; he still, however, continued to wave his flag, and communicated by signs with those friends whom he had left below, but whose forms soon became indistinguishable in the mass. At three o'clock the Balloon still continuing to ascend, the aereal travellers observed beneath them what appeared to be two large cisterns of water, but which subsequent observation proved to them were the East India Docks. The thermometer

now stood at 52 and a half, but from some acci-Versing in the Gravesend boats, which were pasdent which happened to the barometer, no observations on that could be made during the con

tinuance of the voyage. The Balloon now being quite distended, it became necessary to let out some of the gas, and this was done at intervals till the Balloon descended. Mr. Paget was now!

busily employed in preparing the grappling irons and other apparatus for descending, and throwing out ballast as occasion required. The ascent of the Balioon now became very rapid, and the travellers were soon at an immense height. At ten minutes past three, they crossed the Thames at Galeons Resch, and the sound of a piece of ordnance from Woolwich was distinctly heard by Mr. Sadier and his companion, and they observed the smoke, which apparently arose from the earth, but could not, at that time, distinguish any object clearly. Mr. Sadler upon this waved his flag, and another piece of ordnance was discharged, as if to return the compliment as they passed. The City of London, the four Bridges, the Thames, and the German Ocean, were then distinguishable to the aeronauts, and at this period

sing down the river, some of whom cried out"Where are you going?" Mr. Paget threw out

a

loaf, which fell to leeward of one of the boats; the people on board, however, saw the action, and answered it by three cheers. At ten minutes before four, Tilbury Fort came in sight, and they had a perfect view of the town of Gravesend. Mr. Sadler now observed, that the country round the Fort was perfectly flat, and remarked to his fel low voyager, that it would be desirable to laad on that side the river; and measures were taken to accomplish that object. On their nearer approach to the earth, they saw reapers at work in a wheat-field, and hailed them for assistance; an immediate chase commenced over hedges and across ditches; the Balloon, however, for some time took the lead: at this time a brisk gale was blowing, which rendered the descent extremely difficult; the grappling-irons were, however, thrown out, and dragged along the ground-in their course, they caught the clothes of a labourer, and he became so completely entangled, that he could not extricate himself, till his shirt was quite