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Article PENCILLINGS FBOM THE SKETCH-BOOK OF A MA... ← Page 9 of 13 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Pencillings Fbom The Sketch-Book Of A Ma...
the hardships he is occasionally exposed to , and the alacrity and patience he exhibits under the most trying circumstances . This day everything looked cheerless and miserable on deck . At iioon , one of the boats was broken in , and the main-topsail blown out of the bolt rope . At night , too , we lost our main-trysail . The
hurricane lasted forty hours altogether , when , wind and wave abating , excepting the disagreeable pitching and tossing from a gigantic swell , we were blessed with fair weather again . From the disaster of unshipping our rudder we had a narrow escape by the timely notice of the helmsman . During the foul weather we had made no
progress on our passage , because , though unable to lay to , we had been beaten about in so extraordinary a manner , that on examining the chart , a figure resembling an equilateral triangle was described , the line of which in extent was about eighty miles , illustrating , I think , one proof of the theory that storms on the ocean are sure to keep within concentric circles , and shape their courses accordingly .
But as . in the physical world there is scarcely any deformity without some redeeming point , which , though it cannot conceal the ugliness , lessens the sense of it ; the same may be . said of atmospherical disturbances on the ocean . Though our ' position was far from being comfortable or safe , there was not a little of the ludicrous to
amuse the mind and cheer the spirits . True , that it was impossible to have a regular meal as at other times , but then there was the renowned sea-pie , containing its comestible jumble of materials , of which all partook with a zest far stronger from the excitement , than the better kind of fare in fine weather . What though we cut a most absurd figure in being obliged to squat on the floor of the cuddy ,
holding on with might and main to the legs of the table , the same being itself strongly elected down , and in this position forced to eat and drink without the use of knives and forks , spoons and tumblers , appetite did wonders ! and then there was something so novel , so picnic-like in the style of the repast , that people could not help being mirthful . In petty squalls at sea , the effects at the
dinnertable are often diverting ; an unexpected lurch scatters dishes , plates , bottles and glasses , with their several contents , in ludicrous confusion into the laps of those sitting to leeward ; things are turned topsy-turvy , the regularity and precision of the board is destroyed , while mingled contributions of soup , pease-pudding , pork , and potatoes , roll about backwards and forwards , amid the loud laughter of
the passengers ; and if some awkward person be thrown down , chair and all , he must not complain of the badinage made at his expense . " Och , my lad , " said an Irish officer , one day to a junior of our party , who had unwittingly upset his wine on the cloth ; " and if you go on in this way at your mess in India , not a rupee will you have left at the end of the month , " meaning that his pay would be largely drawn upon by lines for his carelessness .
During the prevalence of the hurricane the rolling of the vessel was so heavy that it was next to an impossibility to stand without support . The masts , which creaked hideously , had been loosened
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Pencillings Fbom The Sketch-Book Of A Ma...
the hardships he is occasionally exposed to , and the alacrity and patience he exhibits under the most trying circumstances . This day everything looked cheerless and miserable on deck . At iioon , one of the boats was broken in , and the main-topsail blown out of the bolt rope . At night , too , we lost our main-trysail . The
hurricane lasted forty hours altogether , when , wind and wave abating , excepting the disagreeable pitching and tossing from a gigantic swell , we were blessed with fair weather again . From the disaster of unshipping our rudder we had a narrow escape by the timely notice of the helmsman . During the foul weather we had made no
progress on our passage , because , though unable to lay to , we had been beaten about in so extraordinary a manner , that on examining the chart , a figure resembling an equilateral triangle was described , the line of which in extent was about eighty miles , illustrating , I think , one proof of the theory that storms on the ocean are sure to keep within concentric circles , and shape their courses accordingly .
But as . in the physical world there is scarcely any deformity without some redeeming point , which , though it cannot conceal the ugliness , lessens the sense of it ; the same may be . said of atmospherical disturbances on the ocean . Though our ' position was far from being comfortable or safe , there was not a little of the ludicrous to
amuse the mind and cheer the spirits . True , that it was impossible to have a regular meal as at other times , but then there was the renowned sea-pie , containing its comestible jumble of materials , of which all partook with a zest far stronger from the excitement , than the better kind of fare in fine weather . What though we cut a most absurd figure in being obliged to squat on the floor of the cuddy ,
holding on with might and main to the legs of the table , the same being itself strongly elected down , and in this position forced to eat and drink without the use of knives and forks , spoons and tumblers , appetite did wonders ! and then there was something so novel , so picnic-like in the style of the repast , that people could not help being mirthful . In petty squalls at sea , the effects at the
dinnertable are often diverting ; an unexpected lurch scatters dishes , plates , bottles and glasses , with their several contents , in ludicrous confusion into the laps of those sitting to leeward ; things are turned topsy-turvy , the regularity and precision of the board is destroyed , while mingled contributions of soup , pease-pudding , pork , and potatoes , roll about backwards and forwards , amid the loud laughter of
the passengers ; and if some awkward person be thrown down , chair and all , he must not complain of the badinage made at his expense . " Och , my lad , " said an Irish officer , one day to a junior of our party , who had unwittingly upset his wine on the cloth ; " and if you go on in this way at your mess in India , not a rupee will you have left at the end of the month , " meaning that his pay would be largely drawn upon by lines for his carelessness .
During the prevalence of the hurricane the rolling of the vessel was so heavy that it was next to an impossibility to stand without support . The masts , which creaked hideously , had been loosened