Of Captain Misson by Daniel Defoe — Read

We can be somewhat particular in the Life of this Gentleman, because, by very great Accident, we have got into our Hands a _French_ Manuscript, in which he himself gives a Detail of his Actions. He was born in _Provence_, of an ancient Family; his Father, whose true Name he conceals, was Master of a plentiful Fortune; but having a great Number of Children, our Rover had but little Hopes of other Fortune than what he could carve out for himself with his Sword. His Parents took Care to give him an Education equal to his Birth. After he had passed his Humanity and Logick, and was a tolerable Mathematician, at the Age of Fifteen he was sent to _Angiers_, where he was a Year learning His Exercises.

His Father, at his Return home, would have put him into the Musketeers; but as he was of a roving Temper, and much affected with the Accounts he had read in Books of Travels, he chose the Sea as a Life which abounds with more Variety, and would afford him an Opportunity to gratify his Curiosity, by the Change of Countries Having made this Choice, his Father, with Letters of Recommendation, and every Thing fitting for him, sent him Voluntier on board the _Victoire_, commanded by Monsieur _Fourbin_, his Relation. He was received on Board with all possible Regard by the Captain, whose Ship was at _Marseilles_, and was order'd to cruise soon after _Misson's_ Arrival. Nothing could be more agreeable to the Inclinations of our Voluntier than this Cruize, which made him acquainted with the most noted Ports of the _Mediterranean_, and gave him a great Insight into the practical Part of Navigation.