p. 114, Luke (Lucus) Fox on his own book: “Gentle reader,— expect not here any florishing phrases or eloquent tearmes, for this child of mine, begot in the north-west’s cold clime (where they breed no scholleers), is not able to digest the sweet milke of Rethorick, &c.”
p. 115, re Luke Fox in 1631: “And for books, if I wanted any I was to blame, being bountifully furnish from the treasurer with money to provide me, especially for those of study there would be no leisure, nor was there, for I found work enough.”
p. 116, orders for the voyage to the North-west Passage, included:
“1. That all the whole company, as well officers as others, shall duly repaire every day twice, at the call of the bell, to hear publick prayers to be read (such as are authorized by the Church), and that in a godly and devout manner, as good Christians ought.
“2. That no man shall swear by the name of God, nor use any prophane oath, or blaspheme His holy name, upon pain of severe punishment.”
p. 130, of James voyage of 1631: On the 1st July, the boat pulled a shore for the last time. After reading prayers and dining, the whole of the company gathered together to take the last view of their dead companions…. With mournful feelings, they then slowly pulled on board, and next morning, cheerfully hoisting sail, departed, “beseeching God to continue his mercies to them, and rendering him thanks for having restored them.”
p. 197, an account of Richardson’s discovery of the body of Hood, obviously killed by Michel, an Iroquois: When he arrived at the tent, he found poor Hood lying lifeless, with the book he had been reading open before him, a ball having passed through his head. At first he was horror stricken with the idea that, in a fit of despondency, he had hurried himself into the presence of his Almighty Judge, but the conduct of the Iroquois soon gave rise to other thoughts, and excited suspicions which were confirmed when, upon examination, the shot was found to have entered at the back of the head; and the long gun supplied to the Indians could not have been placed in the position to inflict such a wound except by a second person. [Goes on to describe how Richardson killed Michel, in fear of being killed himself with others.]