I contented myself with being very civil whenever I was with the other passengers, and took care to be with them as little as I could.

Except at meals, I hardly exchanged a word with any human being.
I never was left for so long a time so completely to my own resources; and I am glad to say that I found them quite sufficient to keep me cheerful and employed.

During the whole voyage I read with keen and increasing enjoyment.

I devoured Greek, Latin, Spanish, Italian, French, and English; folios, quartos, octavos, and duodecimos." On the 10th of June the vessel lay to off Madras; and Macaulay had his first introduction to the people for whom he was appointed to legislate in the person of a boatman who pulled through the surf on his raft.

"He came on board with nothing on him but a pointed yellow cap, and walked among us with a self-possession and civility which, coupled with his colour and his nakedness, nearly made me die of laughing." This gentleman was soon followed by more responsible messengers, who brought tidings the reverse of welcome.