Everybody in America is soft and hates conflict. The cure for this both in politics and social life is the same - hardihood. Give them raw truth.

Had we lived I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood endurance and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale.

The sea - this truth must be confessed - has no generosity. No display of manly qualities - courage hardihood endurance faithfulness - has ever been known to touch its irresponsible consciousness of power.

He who knows no hardships will know no hardihood. He who faces no calamity will need no courage. Mysterious though it is the characteristics in human nature which we love best grow in a soil with a strong mixture of troubles.