THE ORDER CETACEA. 51 



('apt. — I am. 



Nept. — Well, sir, I hope to have the gratification of 

 drinking your honour's good health, and wish you a 

 prosperous fishery. 



Here the second mate, William Ford, presented the 

 assembly with three cans, containing in the whole about 

 three quarts of rum. 



Nept. — (Filling a glass) Captain, here's a health to 

 you, and success to our cause. Have you got any fresh- 

 water sailors on board ? if you have, I must christen 

 them, in accordance with our laws, so as to make them 

 useful to ourself and country. 



Capt. — There are eight on board who have made 

 this their first voyage ; they are at your service : I there- 

 fore wish you good morning. 



The procession then returned in the same manner as 

 it came, with the addition of the candidates for nautical 

 fame, who followed in the rear : after descending the 

 fore-hatchway they congregated between decks ; Nep- 

 tune's operations being performed at the foot of the 

 ladder ; here the offerings to Neptune were given to his 

 receiver-general, i. e. the cook, and which consisted of 

 whiskey, rum, tobacco, tea, &c. The barber then stood 

 ready with his box of lather, and the landsmen being 

 ordered before Neptune, the following dialogue took 

 place, only with the alteration of the man's name : — 



Nept. — What is your name ? 



Ans. — Gilbert Nicholson. 



Nept. — Where do you come from ? 



Ans. — Lerwick. 



Nept. — Where is that ? 



Ans. — In Shetland. 



Nept. — Have you ever been to sea before ? 



Ans. — No. 



E 2 



