To Young Men Contemplating A Voyage I

I Once Knew A Writer Who, After Saying Beautiful Things About The Sea, Passed Through A Pacific Hurricane, And He Became A Changed Man.

To Be Taken Into Account Were Some Years Of Schooling, Where I Studied With Diligence Neptune's Laws, And These Laws I Tried To Obey When I Sailed Overseas; It Was Worth The While.

And Now, Without Having Wearied My Friends, I Hope, With Detailed Scientific Accounts, Theories, Or Deductions, I Will Only Say That I Have Endeavoured To Tell Just The Story Of The Adventure Itself.

Anyhow, A Philosophical Turn Of Thought Now Was Not Amiss, Else One's Patience Would Have Given Out Almost At The Harbour Entrance. The Term Of Her Probation Was Eight Days.

Good Work In The Building Of My Vessel Stood Me Always In Good Stead.