the king's proclamation-day, and consequently a holiday at the
custom-house, the captain could not clear his vessel till the
Thursday; for these holidays are as strictly observed as those in
the popish calendar, and are almost as numerous. I might add
that both are opposite to the genius of trade, and consequently
contra bonum publicum.

To go on board the ship it was necessary first to go into a boat;
a matter of no small difficulty, as I had no use of my limbs, and
was to be carried by men who, though sufficiently strong for
their burden, were, like Archimedes, puzzled to find a steady
footing. Of this, as few of my readers have not gone into
wherries on the Thames, they will easily be able to form to
themselves an idea. However, by the assistance of my friend, Mr.
Welch, whom I never think or speak of but with love and esteem, I
conquered this difficulty, as I did afterwards that of ascending
the ship, into which I was hoisted with more ease by a chair
lifted with pulleys. I was soon seated in a great chair in the
cabin, to refresh myself after a fatigue which had been more
intolerable, in a quarter of a mile's passage from my coach to
the ship, than I had before undergone in a land-journey of twelve
miles, which I had traveled with the utmost expedition.

This latter fatigue was, perhaps, somewhat heightened by an
indignation which I could not prevent arising in my mind. I
think, upon my entrance into the boat, I presented a spectacle of
the highest horror. The total loss of limbs was apparent to all
who saw me, and my face contained marks of a most diseased state,
if not of death itself. Indeed, so ghastly was my countenance,
that timorous women with child had abstained from my house, for