found the sea so very full of ice, that there was no getting forward. Then turning about, he went towards America, and arrived at the coast of New France the 18th of July, 1609. But at this period the knowledge of navigation was very far from the perfection afterwards attained.

Captain Hudson

was very brave and ardent, but had not the prudence and patience necessary for his situation. He sailed from place to place without any success. The crew of his ship became very mutinous and disobedient; so he turned his way homewards, and arrived in November at Dartmouth, in Devonshire, of which he gave information to his Directors in Holland, who were greatly disappointed: he sent them also a Journal of his voyage. If he had been prudent he would not have sailed again, particularly from the discontent and mutinous spirit of his crew, half of whom or all of them would probably remain in England, and relate all their disappointments. Captain Hudson might have read in his Bible these words of Solomon, Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of strife. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure, and trouble therewith'. But Captain Hudson had not read or not attended to the wisdom of the Bible, which is a treasure of all wisdom.

Captain Hudson next year, in April, 1610, was fitted out by some gentlemen in London, to try to discover a passage to the South Sea. He again

1 Proverbs xv. 17.

took his son with him, and sailed April 18th, and was in sight of Greenland on the 4th of June, where he wrote to his friends in London. The 9th of June the ship was off Frobisher's Straits, and the 15th brought them to the sight of Cape Desolation. They proceeded northward amongst great quantities of ice, until they came to the mouth of the straits called Hudson's Bay ever since. Here they advanced to the west, and got into that bay. He called the country Nova Britannia. He was now sanguine of success, and anticipated happy fame, and honour, and profit, in England. He sailed about one hundred leagues south into this bay, being confident he had at last found the desired passage, in this fourth voyage; but perceived at last that it was only a bay but he was resolved to winter there, with the intention of proceeding to new discoveries in the spring. He was so bent upon this plan, that he did not consider how little provision he had on board in the small ship, compared with the large ships which have gone far greater voyages. Alas! Captain Hudson had more courage than prudence. He was in a desolate place, and the long winter before him. On the 3d of November, the crew drew the ship into a small creek, where all of them would inevitably have perished, if divine Providence had not supplied them with uncommon flights of white fowls, which served them for provision. In the spring the ice began to melt, after a most melancholy, tedious

winter.

Hudson began to make some efforts to

B b

proceed to sea, but his crew began to express discontent. He now saw he must make the best of his way back to England. Dear England was then full in his view, and his poor boy not able to assist his father, who called together his men, with tears in his eyes, and divided amongst them the last meal of bread, giving one pound to each man. They had expressed discontent, and he had let fall some words, as if threatening to set some of them on the shore; upon which some of the boldest of them, who had been familiar with their Captain during that sad long winter, suddenly entered his cabin in the night, and, seizing him, tied his arms up behind him, and placed him in his own small boat, or shallop, as it was called. They put his young son and seven of the sailors who were infirm and sickly into the boat; it was then set adrift on the ocean, without any provisions, and never was heard of more! a most awful and cruel death! crew immediately proceeded on their return to England, and it was said that they had concealed some provisions: but on going ashore near the mouth of the bay, the savages killed four of the murderers. The rest, after dreadful sufferings from starvation, arrived at Plymouth in September, 1611.

The

MR. HERVEY.

MR. James Hervey was an English Clergyman of great piety and talents; very few were more distinguished, or so soon called away by our Almighty Father to a better world, to enter the mansions prepared for virtue and wisdom in heaven. He was born of respectable parents in Northamptonshire, in 1714, and was educated at the Grammar school at Northampton, and at Lincoln College, Oxford. After being seven years at the University he was appointed curate to his father, who was Rector of Weston Favell. He was afterwards curate of Biddeford, Devonshire. In 1750, he succeeded his father to the two livings of Weston Favell and Collingtree, which were only five miles distant from each other. He attended both, till by his ill-health he was obliged to be permanent at Weston. Here he fixed his residence, and most diligent was he in his study, and also in his parish and pulpit. His constitution had from the first been very delicate; but he had an excellent mind and spirit. He died on Christmas day, in his forty-fifth year, deeply lamented by all who had the happiness of his friendship or acquaintance. His charity was remarkable; he was never married, and always wished, as he said, to be his own.

executor.

All that he could

All that he could spare from his income was given to the poor, and in such a way as to be a permanent advantage to the really worthy and industrious. Whatever might be left after his death, was by his order given in warm clothing to the poor, at that season when coals are dear.

Mr. Hervey was fond of books, and was well versed in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and French. He wrote "Meditations amongst the Tombs," in octavo. 2dly, "Contemplations on the night, and the stars of Heaven," and "A winter's piece," 1747, in octavo. Also "Remarks on Lord Bolingbroke's Letters on History, &c., in a letter to a Lady of Quality." Also "Theron and Aspasio," 3 vols. in 1755, in octavo. Also "Eleven Letters to Wesley." He also published an edition of Jenks's Meditations, with a strong recommendation of them in the Preface; and lastly, "Letters to Lady Frances Shirley."

Let

In his youth he had written poetry, but he never published any. In one of his short and ardent prayers, he wrote, "O! Father of all, be my strength and my hope. Defend me from all evil, for I am weak, and prone to error and sin. every day enable me to see and know thy infinite goodness, wisdom, and power. Let me conquer the fear of death, by the divine Gospel of Christ. May it be my hope and support for ever. Amen."