Fielding draws inspiration from various English travelogues and classical works by Homer and Virgil, creating parallels between the passengers’ experiences and the epic journeys of antiquity.

The tone of Fielding's diary is predominantly solemn, though it includes occasional moments of humor, such as when sea spray unexpectedly forces him and the captain to the floor while attempting to eat.

[2] I could not help reflecting how often the greatest abilities lie wind-bound as it were in life; or if they venture out, and attempt to beat the seas, they struggle in vain against wind and tide, and if they have not sufficient prudence to put back, are most probably cast away on the rocks and quicksands, which are every day ready to devour them.In 1753, Henry Fielding, a Bow Street magistrate, faced serious health issues, suffering from gout and edema, which limited his mobility and required frequent medical interventions.

Initially impressed by the city’s brightness from a distance, Fielding later described it as "the most unpleasant in the world", lacking beauty and characterized by decrepit, haphazardly constructed buildings.

[13] Many contemporary readers expressed disappointment that a distinguished author like Fielding would focus on seemingly mundane aspects of life, documenting trivial encounters with anonymous passengers aboard a ship to Portugal.

André Darlington notes that they may have overlooked how Fielding's novels diverged from those of his predecessors by emphasizing seemingly insignificant details that contributed to the narrative's overall substance, anchoring it in history and everyday experiences.

[23] In the months following the publication of Amelia, Fielding seemed to focus more on health remedies, such as tar water recommended by George Berkeley, than on his literary pursuits.

Thomas Edwards expressed astonishment that someone facing death would engage in such trivial banter, while Arthur Murphy lamented that the work evoked the mindset of a condemned man joking on the scaffold.

Should any reader remain unconvinced, it is asserted that the narrative holds public utility, focusing on reality rather than invention, and addressing political issues related to maritime law—a more modest yet accessible endeavor compared to broad societal reform.

[35] Although Fielding reflects on the potential for "vanity" in his achievements, he counters this notion by highlighting the modest financial compensation he received for extensive work, which he believed compromised his health.

Fielding briefly notes the rows of whitewashed houses but quickly moves past this description, in keeping with a principle emphasized in the introductory chapters of his novels, particularly Joseph Andrews and Tom Jones.

The journal concludes with two Latin quotations: the first from the Aeneid, "Egressi optata Troes potiuntur arena" ("The Trojans disembark and gain the long-awaited shore"),[45] and the second from Horace, "- hic Finis chartæque viaque" ("here end, 'merrily', writes Fielding ironically, the story and the voyage").

[56]The great Increase of Robberies within these few years, is an Evil which […] seems (tho' already so flagrant) not to have arrived to that Height of which it is capable, and which it is likely to attain: For Diseases in the Political, as in the natural Body, seldom fail going on their Crisis, especially when nourished and encouraged by Faults in the Constitution.His analyses reveal a society plagued by corruption, where the wealthy thrive while the poor suffer.

[57] He equates his fight against crime with his struggle against disease, illustrating how his public efforts often come at the cost of his health, as his physical ailments worsened even as he worked to combat societal corruption.

For instance, when discussing the benefits of fish, he suggests that a rigged market denies the poor access to this resource, but he also makes references to punitive measures against fishmongers.

[63] Fielding also employs a distinctive form of irony, undermining his claims by referencing absurd authorities, such as comparing himself to a fictional narrator rather than a renowned writer like Cervantes.

He dismisses other authors' theories as trivial and expresses a desire to initiate significant legal changes in maritime matters, reminiscent of the absurdity seen in the theater critiques of his time.

[74] In his preface, Fielding makes a vague allusion to a play, whose title he never gives, "by Aphra Behn or Susanna Centlivre", in which "this vice of travel journals is ridiculed with finesse".

Tickletext's travel diary, which documents his time in Rome, focuses on superficial details such as the weather while dismissing the city's aesthetic and cultural value,[76] all while asserting that his observations serve the "good of the nation".

Despite this, his diary suggests a familiarity with these works, particularly those about Lisbon, like Udal ap Rhys’s Account of the Most Remarkable Places in Spain and Portugal (1749) and William Bromley’s Several Years Travels (1702).

For instance, he likens the innkeeper Mrs. Francis to a fury or witch from a distant island, humorously suggesting that the Isle of Wight, with its lush scenery, mirrors Circe's enchanted domain.

Fielding also draws on mythological tropes when he claims to have purchased venison from Southampton, attributing it to the whims of Fortuna, further aligning himself with the figure of Ulysses as he enjoys the island’s pleasures.

This tension recalls themes he explored in A Voyage from this World to the Next, suggesting an impending transition, yet the winds seem to be blowing away from home, hinting at a sense of finality.

[97] Bernard also draws on Gérard Genette's idea of intertextuality, pointing out that Fielding’s diary references a mix of English works,[98] including John Crowe's Sir County Nice and Shakespeare's Macbeth, alongside classical texts by Homer, Virgil, Ovid, and Horace.

Characters and situations in his journey are presented in a way that mirrors classical tales: the girls in brothels evoke Circe’s enchantment, the innkeeper intoxicates the crew like a mythological figure, and the captain’s struggles echo Ulysses’ challenges.

[100] The comedic tone is evident in several anecdotes, such as the valet William's drunken return to England and Fielding’s longing for familiar food, leading him to request that a cook be sent.

Throughout the Diary, Fielding offers insights into Veal's extensive career as a yachtsman, emphasizing his forty-six years of sailing experience, various successes, and occasional setbacks.

In 1745, he took command of the Inspector, capturing merchant ships until a storm in 1748 led to the loss of many crew members in Tangier Bay, a controversial incident that generated public discussion for years.

And what desolation and destruction of arts and sciences would he conclude had happened between the several areas of these cities?For further details, Fielding’s letters to his brother John, written in the days following his arrival, provide more insight into his impressions.

As Fielding’s journey nears its end in his Journal, there is a poignant moment when the passengers experience a tranquil evening at sea—clear skies, a beautiful sunset, and a full moon.