50 THE NATURAL, HISTORY OF 



over the entrance of the fore-hatchway, the following 

 inscription in chalk letters : 



NEPTUNE'S EASY SHAVING SHOP, 



KEPT BY 



JOHN JOHNSON, 



BOATSTEERER. 



The procession, being formed on the forecastle, moved 

 onwards to the quarter-deck (where the captain and of- 

 ficers received them), in the following order : — 



First, — the fidler, playing as well as he could on an 

 old violin, — " See the Conquering Hero Comes;" next 

 four men, two abreast, disguised with matting, rags, &c, 

 so as to completely prevent their being recognized, each 

 armed with a boat-hook, as a staff of office ; then came 

 the sovereign of the sea, Old Neptune, also disguised, 

 ornamented with a paper crown, and mounted on the 

 carriage of the largest gun in the ship, followed by the 

 barber, barber's mate, shaving-box carrier, swab-bearer, 

 and as many of the ship's company that chose to join 

 them, dressed in such a grotesque style as completely 

 to put it out of the power of language to describe. Ar- 

 rived on the quarter-deck, they were met by the captain 

 and officers, when his marine majesty condescended to 

 dismount, and the following dialogue ensued : — 



Neptune. — Sir, are you the captain of the ship ? 



Captain. — I am. 



Nept. — What's the name of your ship ? 



Capt. — The Neptune, of London. 



Nept. — Where is she bound to ? 



Capt. — The Greenland Seas. 



Nept. — W T hat is your name ? 



Capt. — Matthew Ainsley. 



Nept. — You are engaged in the whale-fishery ? 



