MARCH. 53 



NOTES FROM THE LOG-BOOK OF AN ERRATIC MAN. 



No. III. 

 WEEDS OF THE OCEAN. 



In a large and well-appointed ship, when the commander really 

 takes an interest in his crew, and feels it no less his duty than his 

 ])leasure to attend to their moral as well as physical condition, a 

 Sabbath at sea is, under most conditions, a delightful day. 



In a vessel of this kind to which I once belonged, a free-trader 

 to the East Indies, the performance of divine service on Sundays 

 was never omitted, unless in very bad weather indeed. At a quarter 

 to eleven the bell tolled for church, and at the hour, the crew, after 

 being mustered in their best clothes, which were warm woollen or 

 white duck, according to the climate we were in, took their seats 

 on forms ranged across the quarter-deck ; on each side the passen- 

 gers and officers, with the servants, were seated ; the capstan was 

 covered with the ensign, and served for the reading-desk ; and from 

 this place the captain read the service, one of the officers or the 

 steward acting as clerk. Beautiful and impressive as the service 

 of the Church of England is, no prayer in the whole collection ever 

 found such a place with me when on the wide ocean, as that one 

 specially appointed to be read at sea, varied as it should be to suit 

 the merchant-service. And as it has happened to me to be afloat 

 on a Sunday when a passenger in a large steamer, and the clergy- 

 man who officiated appeared ignorant of its existence, or if not, 

 neglected to read it, I shall introduce it without further preface, 

 recommending my clerical readers not to forget it on the like occa- 

 sions : 



" O eternal Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, 

 and rulest the raging of the sea ; who hast compassed the waters 

 with bounds, until day and night come to an end ; be pleased to 

 receive into Thy almighty and most gracious protection the persons 

 of us Thy servants, and the ship in which we serve. Preserve us 

 from the dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy ; 

 and grant that we may return in safety to enjoy the blessings of the 

 land, with the fruits of our labours, and with a thankful remem- 

 brance of Thy mercies, to praise and glorify Thy holy Name ; through 

 Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." 



Well, it was a lovely Sunday morning, just as the order was 

 given at the conclusion of divine service to " clear away the church," 

 that the officer of the watch presented himself, and reported to the 

 captain, " We are in the weed, sir." 



What is a weed ? Every body seems to understand the word, 

 and to feel an instinctive aversion to the idea ; but to explain it 

 leaves many a dictionary at fault. All the rarest and most cherished 

 objects of horticulture are but weeds of another clime. The fact is, 

 that all small plants out of their place are branded with the name ; 

 but in its place there is nothing in creation so despised or so insig- 



