Chapter II: Preface

The Publishing of this Voyage, is from a Supposition that it contains something useful to those following in the same Track, and that it will be no unprofitable Amusement to others who do not. I shall therefore wave all Apology, and instead, proceed to a Reflection or two, on the Life and Element we occupy.

And _first_, The Man whose Means of Subsistence irreversibly depends on the Sea, is unhappy because he forsakes his proper Element, his Wife, Children, Country, and Friends, all that can be called pleasant (and of Necessity, not Choice) to tempt unknown Dangers, on that deceitful, trackless Path; Lee Shores, Tempests, Wants of some kind or other, bad Winds, or the rougher Passions of our selves, are continually molesting; and if common Danger under one adopted Parent (_Neptune_) does not always unite us, yet we are still cooped like Fowls, to the same Diet and Associates.

“_Till chang’d at length and to the Place conform’d_
_In Temper and in Nature we receive_
_Familiar the fierce Heat._”
Milton. B. II.

Tophet[1] _with Stink of_ Suffolk _Vaporous
Obscures the Glim; that visive and olfactive Nerves
In us feel dreadful Change._

And to compleat our ill Luck, while we are thus contending with sinister Fate, the Rogues at home perhaps are stealing away the Hearts of our Mistresses and Wives. Are not these a hapless Race thus doomed!

A Sea-Life absolutely considered, had so much of Hardship and Danger, that in King _John_’s Time a national Synod ordained, _no married Persons should go beyond Sea without publishing their mutual Consent_; which, I apprehend, proceeded from this Foundation: _That it should not be in the power of one to thrust himself on Difficulties and Hazard, that would make the other equally unhappy._ The _Saxons_ before, made a Law, that if a Merchant crossed the wide Sea three times, he should be honoured with the Title of _Thane_, (_Rapin_, p. 15.) and the Monarchs of the East shew their Approbation, by still leaving the rough Dominion of it to Christians. There are Circumstances notwithstanding, which may abate the Infelicity, and give real Pleasure: Such chiefly in the Navy, are a Defence of one’s Country, a Livelihood, being better manned and provided against Dangers than Trading Ships; Good-natur’d Officers, a mutual good Treatment, seeing the Wonders of the Deep, and at last, maimed or decrepid, a Retreat to Superannuation, or that noble Foundation of _Greenwich_-Hospital; to which of late Years must be added, the Satisfaction Officers receive from that generous Contribution for supporting their Widows, and consequently the Children they may leave behind them.

This charitable Project is governed by the following Articles, established by His present Majesty.