Maximum-assistance view: every word above everyday vocabulary is explained at every appearance; each name is introduced at its first appearance in the chapter.

Letter 3

To Mrs. Saville, England. (To Mrs Saville, the writer's sister, in England)

July 7th, 17—.

My dear Sister,

I write a few lines in haste to say that I am safe—and well advanced on my voyage (I write a few lines in haste to say that I am safe, and well along on my voyage). This letter will reach England by a merchantman now on its homeward voyage from Archangel (This letter will reach England by a trading ship now on its way home from Archangel); more fortunate than I, who may not see my native land, perhaps, for many years (in better luck than I, who may not see my home land, perhaps, for many years). I am, however, in good spirits: my men are bold and apparently firm of purpose (my men are bold and, by all I can see, firm of purpose), nor do the floating sheets of ice that continually pass us, indicating the dangers of the region towards which we are advancing, appear to dismay them (nor do the floating sheets of ice that pass us without stopping, signs of the dangers of the region we are moving towards, seem to shake their courage). We have already reached a very high latitude; but it is the height of summer (We have already come very far north, but it is the height of summer), and although not so warm as in England, the southern gales, which blow us speedily towards those shores which I so ardently desire to attain, breathe a degree of renovating warmth which I had not expected (the strong south winds, which blow us fast towards those shores I so burningly long to reach, carry a touch of fresh new-making warmth I had not expected).

No incidents have hitherto befallen us that would make a figure in a letter (Nothing has happened to us so far that would cut a figure in a letter). One or two stiff gales and the springing of a leak are accidents which experienced navigators scarcely remember to record (One or two hard blows of wind, and a leak opening in the hull, are mishaps that practised sea captains hardly trouble to write down), and I shall be well content if nothing worse happen to us during our voyage (I shall be well pleased if nothing worse happens to us on our voyage).

Adieu, my dear Margaret (Goodbye, my dear Margaret). Be assured that for my own sake, as well as yours, I will not rashly encounter danger (Be sure that for my own sake, as well as yours, I will not run into danger in blind haste). I will be cool, persevering, and prudent (I will be cool-headed, steady in effort, and careful).

But success shall crown my endeavours. Wherefore not (But success shall crown my strivings. Why not)? Thus far I have gone, tracing a secure way over the pathless seas, the very stars themselves being witnesses and testimonies of my triumph (This far I have gone, marking a safe way over seas without paths, the very stars themselves standing witness to my victory). Why not still proceed over the untamed yet obedient element (Why not go on still over the wild water, untamed and yet bending to us)? What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man (What can stop the set heart and fixed will of man)?

My swelling heart involuntarily pours itself out thus. But I must finish (My swelling heart pours itself out this way without my meaning it to. But I must end). Heaven bless my beloved sister! (Heaven bless my dear-loved sister)

R.W. (R.W., short for Robert Walton)