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[[underlined]] 48 [[/underlined]]
Tuesday April 17th 1849. The weather was cold and the wind continued to increase from the South West until it had worked into a Gale more fierce than anything we had experienced before. we were under close reefed Fore & main Top Sails and Fore Top mast Stay Sail, until noon when all had to be furled except the close reefed Main Top Sail. which being an entire new sail it was enabled to withstand the Gale The weather was excessively cold. rendering Overcoats and mittens necessary for comfort, occasionally visited by squals of Rain, Hail & Snow. The Sea running very high and making a breach over us quite often, One of our Company was ill to day. M. Van Siclen and has been complaining for several days, Sickness at Sea is allways to be dreaded. If our Spirits are depressed and loneliness and enieu pervade our feelings, when in good health, how much greater must be the discontent, and gloom that weigh upon us when Sick. If any one Should wish fully to appreciate home, with all its endearing associations, let him imagine himself Sick on board of a Ship, far from land and home. and in the intervals of a burning fever perhaps, should his aching bones find reposed in sleep and in dreams -
"Friends and objects loved"
"Before the mind appear"
Alas! how fleeting are all earthly joys! He meets in fond embrace, the object of his purest affections and is about to match the warm kiss of welcome. he wakes - but alas! what he fondly wished is only a dream at last.