Library Collections: Document: Full Text


Diary Of Laurent Clerc's Voyage From France To America In 1816

Creator: Laurent Clerc (author)
Date: 1816
Publisher: American School for the Deaf
Source: Available at selected libraries
Figures From This Artifact: Figure 2  Figure 3  Figure 4  Figure 5  Figure 6  Figure 7  Figure 8  Figure 9  Figure 10  Figure 11  Figure 12  Figure 13  Figure 14

Previous Page   Next Page   All Pages 


Page 4:

54  

Saturday, June the 22nd. The weather being fair, I passed all the morning upon deck to write my diary of the preceding days, and all the evening to talk with M. Gallaudet, who, at my request, gave me the description of an American dinner, of a marriage, and of the manners and customs of the inhabitants of that country; so that in arriving thither I may be familiar with them, and that the people may take me for a true American citizen and not for a stranger. This long conversation, all amusing and interesting as it was, did not fail to fatigue us a little. We endeavored to divert ourselves by walking and playing, which we did while supper was preparing. After supper and prayer, and a moment before going to bed, M. Gallaudet told me that tomorrow would be Sunday, and that consequently he should not be able to correct my English, if I had a mind to study. I answered him that my religion commanded me not to work that day, but to consecrate it to the glory of God, and we found that both our religions were almost the same.

55  

Today is the anniversary of our embarking from Havre. We have experienced no grievous accident. Let us give thanks to God for it, and let us pray him to deign to continue to keep us in safety.

56  

Sunday, June the 23rd. When I awoke, I learned that it was rainy weather and hardly was I risen, when I ascended upon deck to judge myself of the state of the weather, but what did I see! What a spectacle! What a novelty for me! The sun did not appear in the horizon, the heavens were covered with clouds, the wind blew with violence. The sea was agitated and murmured. Waves came in a mass to dash themselves against our ship and made it reel from one side to the other, so that when we were upon the deck. We reeled as if we were drunk. Sadness was painted on every face, some of us stood in fear, but confidence was in all hearts, every one trusted to the goodness of God who never abandons the persons who address themselves to him when they are in danger. Thus we took courage again in consequence of that thought.

57  

After each of us had shaved, we washed our faces and our hands, and changed our linen. We sat at table to breakfast and we breakfasted upon a sort of table made so that the motion of the sea might not be able to upset our dishes, nor our food. The rain soon ceased, but the weather continued to be bad, and the motion of the sea augmented by little and little. At ten o'clock, we all descended into our cabin with a part of the sailors to pray to God. We said, so to speak, a mass in our spirit. M. Gallaudet preached, and I believe that his sermon made some impression on his auditory. For my own part, I prayed by memory. Our prayer continued long, it was about half after eleven o'clock when we finished. We saw with satisfaction that the weather grew mild and that the sea became appeased. We passed the afternoon upon deck, we did not work, we did not play, we talked together a little, we thought of God in walking or in sitting on the bench. In time, the hour of supper approached, and after supper and prayer, which is made by Mr. Gallaudet and Cowperthwaite by turns, everyone went to bed. As for myself, I did not sleep at all. It was the first time of my wakefulness, and I do not know what was the cause of it. I wished much or I had a strong desire to sleep, but I could not.

58  

Monday, June the 24th. The morning was a little cold, the wind continued to blow and to be contrary, but the sea was less agitated than the day before. Almost all the companions of my voyage were more or less indisposed, and principally poor M. Gallaudet, who suffered so much that I pitied him. From time to time he paid a tribute to Neptune. As for myself, thanks to God, I have not yet been sick since I left Havre, I attribute that happiness to my constitution. I passed all the morning upon deck and sat in the sunshine to write my journal. When I had dined, I applied myself to study English and passed the rest of the evening in argument with M. Gallaudet, M. Cowperthwaite and the Captain on the differences of different religions. I went to bed as soon as I had supped and prayed.

59  

Tuesday, June the 25th. I had passed the night without being able to shut my eyes, but in the morning towards five o'clock, I fell asleep so profoundly that I should have slept till noon-day if one had not come to awake me and to tell me that the hour of breakfast had nearly expired. I was sorry that my slumber had been interrupted. I should have preferred that my friends might have breakfasted without me, but since I was awake, I must rise, and I rose in a moment. I seemed to be yet quite asleep, but when I had washed my face, I was as fresh as a rose. My friends had risen half an hour since; I saluted them; I found them all in good health, except M. Gallaudet who continued to suffer with sea-sickness. We sat at table, and for myself, I ate with an appetite. Besides a good bit of cold meat and another fish and buttered-bread, I drank two bowls of coffee and afterwards a glass of cider to refresh me. I went upon deck, and in walking, I stood from time to time, my eyes on the ocean, and looked upon the waves. I discovered no vessel. I conversed with M. Gallaudet. He spoke to me of New York and told me that he longed to arrive there and to see his relations and his friends, and especially Dr. Cogswell and his other Hartford friends.

Previous Page   Next Page

Pages:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18    All Pages