CAUSES OF SUCCESS IN THE FISHERY. 339 



where wliales were seen, and proceeds to a distant 

 quarter, where he cannot nieet with whales nt 

 all. 



Not a little depends, in the fishery, on the confi- 

 dence the sailors have in the skill of their captain, 

 and in the efticiency of the personal talents and 

 exertions of their officers. If the officers are frequent- 

 ly unfortunate, they are apt to lose confidence in them, 

 and proceed, even when good opportunities occur, 

 without spirit to the attack. The greater their 

 spirits and coniidence, the better is the chance they 

 have of success. Hence the crew of a ship which 

 has met with success, can generally fish better, and 

 more advantageously, under the. same circumstances, 

 than the people of a clean ship. JNIen, discouraged 

 ])y the failure of their exertions, lose their spirits, 

 and, with them, their activity. Their judgments 

 even are clouded by the depression of their minds, 

 so that they become inferior, in every respect, to suc- 

 cessful fishers, of the same natural talent. Hence 

 it is of great importance, that the ardour and confi- 

 dence of the crew of a whaler sliould be encourac^ed 

 and stimulated : for, on their exertions, when plen- 

 ty of whales are in view, success almost entirely de- 

 pends. But for the regidation of the ship's move- 

 ments, — for the choice of a situation, — for direction 

 in difficulties, — for a stimulus when discouraged, — 

 for encouragement when weary, — and for a variety 

 of other important matters, the master alone must 



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