the change of his circumstances in his mind, and again
this put him into an ecstasy of joy. His spirits
whirled about faster than the vessels could convey
them, the blood grew hot and feverish, and the man
was as fit for Bedlam as any creature that ever was
in it. The surgeon would not bleed him again
in that condition, but gave him something to doze and
put him to sleep; which, after some time, operated
upon him, and he awoke next morning perfectly composed
and well. The younger priest behaved with great
command of his passions, and was really an example
of a serious, well-governed mind. At his first
coming on board the ship he threw himself flat on
his face, prostrating himself in thankfulness for
his deliverance, in which I unhappily and unseasonably
disturbed him, really thinking he had been in a swoon;
but he spoke calmly, thanked me, told me he was giving
God thanks for his deliverance, begged me to leave
him a few moments, and that, next to his Maker, he
would give me thanks also. I was heartily sorry
that I disturbed him, and not only left him, but kept
others from interrupting him also. He continued
in that posture about three minutes, or little more,
after I left him, then came to me, as he had said
he would, and with a great deal of seriousness and
affection, but with tears in his eyes, thanked me,
that had, under God, given him and so many miserable
creatures their lives. I told him I had no need
to tell him to thank God for it, rather than me, for
I had seen that he had done that already; but I added
that it was nothing but what reason and humanity dictated
to all men, and that we had as much reason as he to
give thanks to God, who had blessed us so far as to
make us the instruments of His mercy to so many of
His creatures. After this the young priest applied
himself to his countrymen, and laboured to compose
them: he persuaded, entreated, argued, reasoned
with them, and did his utmost to keep them within
the exercise of their reason; and with some he had
success, though others were for a time out of all
government of themselves.
I cannot help committing this to writing, as perhaps
it may be useful to those into whose hands it may
fall, for guiding themselves in the extravagances
of their passions; for if an excess of joy can carry
men out to such a length beyond the reach of their
reason, what will not the extravagances of anger, rage,
and a provoked mind carry us to? And, indeed,
here I saw reason for keeping an exceeding watch over
our passions of every kind, as well those of joy and
satisfaction as those of sorrow and anger.
We were somewhat disordered by these extravagances
among our new guests for the first day; but after
they had retired to lodgings provided for them as
well as our ship would allow, and had slept heartily—as
most of them did, being fatigued and frightened—they
were quite another sort of people the next day.
Nothing of good manners, or civil acknowledgments
for the kindness shown them, was wanting; the French,