p. 46

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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 brown-
faced lady, who smelt rather strongly of grog and
"baccy"- and the rest of the sailors with black-
ened 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.

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