at that time occupied three days.[1] He spent a short time with his relations, the Arnaulds, in London, and then set out for Ireland. He bought a horse, which carried him to Chester in five days; and from there to Holyhead in three days; and he crossed the Channel to Dublin in two days.
He spent some months at home, during which he employed himself in studying navigation, preparatory to a voyage across the Atlantic, which he contemplated making, in order to purchase land in some part of North America, to which it would be suitable for the family to emigrate. He was entirely at leisure after his return from Spain, and was therefore glad to make his taste for travelling subservient to the plans for the future good of his brothers and sisters.
He proceeded to Cork to take passage for Virginia, and after waiting from the 13th November to 3d December, 1714, the ship Dove, of Biddeford, made her appearance in the harbor, and he engaged passage on board of her for himself and four servants, for which he paid £25 sterling. He took out a few goods as an adventure, and amongst them some Bibles, Prayer-Books, and writing-paper, for account of Mr. Binauld, a French Refugee, who had a printing establishment in Dublin.
A Journal of our intended voyage, by God's assistance, in the Dove, of Biddeford, Captain John Shapley, commander.
7th Dec. 1714—We embarked, and on the 10th the wind proving fair, we set sail for the Virginias, with God's blessing.
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For the first week they had fair winds, and made respectable progress. Poor John was sea-sick for several days.
16th Dec.—Wind N.E., not very hard. We sailed five or
- ↑ The same journey is now accomplished by railway in three hours.
