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Friday, August the 2nd. During all this day we enjoyed fair weather and a pleasant breeze. We made some progress especially in the morning, which infinitely rejoiced us, for the wind had continually been contrary for a long time, and it was very natural to be joyful this once. In the forenoon we perceived a plank floating on the sea. The Captain ordered the Jolly-boat to be put down, and two sailors having at their head the second mate, went to get it.

I had been slightly indisposed, so that this day, when I had waked, I took physic, and though I continued to take it during three days, it resulted in no wholesome effect as I had hoped. Nevertheless, little by little I recovered my good health, thanks to the Divine goodness.

Saturday, August the 3rd. It continued to be fine weather, but we did not make any progress for want of wind. I studied in the morning. In the afternoon I prepared myself for the next day, which was a Sunday. I passed the remainder of the evening upon deck walking, talking, and reading by turns, and when it was night, I sat on bench to contemplate the full moon which lighted brightly and silvered the surface of the sea.

Sunday, August the 4th. The weather was rather gloomy than fair. The sun shone faintly, and now and then it drizzled. At noon, at the moment in which we were going to descend into our cabin to hear Mr. Gallaudet's sermon as on the preceding Sundays, we perceived on the right and the left of our ship a great numbers of fishes of different sizes and kinds, which swam helter-skelter on the sea. We wished much to take some, but we could not; none took the bait. M. Gallaudet had waited for us an hour in order to begin service. We hastened then to descend, and when we were all assembled, he began service by the reading of a chapter of the Holy Bible, and after having pronounced the sermon, our worship was terminated by the singing of a psalm in verse. I heard nothing, but I did not lose my time, for I read a religious French book. It was two o'clock when we finished, and it was the hour of dinner. The steward hastened then to spread the tablecloth and while he thus prepared our meal, we were taking a little walk upon deck. We passed the afternoon as we used to do, that is to say, we read religious books and thought of God. Sometimes to recreate our mind, we suspend our reading, and wearied our sight on the ocean, but we discovered nothing. The sun hardly set when a thick fog came and benighted the horizon, so that we could see nothing around us. We then descended into the cabin, where after a short conversation on indifferent subjects, we prayed to God, and after prayers our companions went to bed, except M. Gallaudet and myself, who had not yet a wish to sleep. Seated abreast on the sofa, the fog was the subject of our conversation, and led M. Gallaudet to relate to me the following history.

"The fog," said he, "is very dangerous and above all when one is on the sea. Sometimes ago, M. Williams, an American, went from Hamburg to America in a ship with several passengers. The ship was not far from land, when she was surprised by a fog like that of this day. The Captain and all the passengers were in the cabin playing at cards. There was upon the deck but only the mate and one or two sailors to watch, but they could see and distinguish nothing, because the fog was excessively thick. It chanced to happen that M. Williams was in his berth, and at this time, suddenly the ship rapidly knocked against another ship going from America to England. The former on which was M. Williams was sunk by the latter. Captain, mates, sailors, passengers, were shipwrecked without anyone in the other ship having perceived or heard it. By a very happy providence, M. Williams who had immediately after the knock, run on deck, seized a cord, saved himself and arrived upon the deck of the other ship after many difficulties. He believed himself on his own ship. He was soon surrounded by the crew. Oh astonishment! Oh thing unheard! Oh strange event! What did he see! New faces! New persons! New cabin! New ship! The surprise of the other passengers was not less great. They questioned among themselves. M. Williams asked where he was, and the passengers how he had been introduced. There was surprise, fright, consternation on both sides. At length, all was explained, all was cleared up. They grieved and pittied on another". Reader! See there a terrible effect of the fog! But consider that which happens in the wicked world, happens by the will of God. It is to warn us to be prepared for death. That relation caused me much pain. I trembled in proportion as M. Gallaudet spoke. To terminate the history of M. Williams, I shall say that he was brought to England without money, linen or raiment. Arrived in London, he by degrees made progress in commercial transactions, and at present he is one of the richest bankers of London. He has in Paris a brother who is soon to marry the daughter of M. Hottinger; also a rich banker in Paris. M. Gallaudet and I felt ourselves fatigued and above all affected by the horrible event he had been relating, and we soon went to bed.