Travel Diaries and Journals

28

was summoned by the crew to appear, and of course refused. The door was immediately tried and found too strong for them to break open, but that did not deter them, two men got over the vessel's side, and entered the passenger's cabin by the port-hole, fixed a rope round him and then hauled him on deck. They then subjected him to the whole ceremony in its most disgusting form.

Upon reaching Bombay he brought an action against the captain and recovered three hundred pounds damages!

Such results would go far towards putting an end to the ceremony altogether, and as before remarked it is now nearly abolished. On board the emigrants' vessels where the crews are allowed a frolic on that day, whatever takes place is confined to themselves the passengers are not molested, sometimes a little sport with throwing water about is got up among them, giving a heartier zest to the evening's social glass of grog

No doubt the custom from the first was only intended as fun and a welcome break in the monotony of sailor life, but cruelty was often intended in it intended as a sort of punishment for obnoxious ship companions. A Sailor's life at sea has not many enjoyments it is well known but the sports formerly so much in vogue on the day of crossing the Line for the first time, are much better honored in the breach than the observance

when crossing the Line, we had a visit at night from Old Father Neptune and his followers -the "bo'sun" in a white robe, with long hempen beard, a diadem of tin, and a toasting-fork as a sceptre- his wife hanging upon his arm, a brownfaced lady, who smelt rather strongly of grog and "baccy"- and the rest of the sailors with blackened faces. After the "doctor" had gone round and examined the tongues of the passengers, the "barber" shaved one of the stewards with treacle.

The unfortunate victim, after this operation, was flung backward into a sail full of sea-water, out of which he scrambled with the howls of Neptune's imps ringing in his ears. Then the masqueraders having gone through their foolish performance, got confused, stood about uneasily, hitched their shoulders, laughed at one another, and moved sheepishly away. Father Neptune and his party were subsequently rewarded by the sum of five guineas collected at the close of one of the concerts.

Cut from the "North British Advertiser" Feb. 19th 1876.