VOYAGE OF THE GERMANIA AND HANSA. 29 



whistling a tune or smoking a morning cigar. Before 

 dinner, we generally have some work to do in the cabin, 

 though at first, in the dry weather, nothing much comes 

 of it. At twelve, the work-table is changed into the 

 dining-table, and with hungry stomachs we sit down to 

 steaming soup. After dinner, we take a nap in the cabin, 

 or (which is more agreeable) in fine weather on deck, 

 where a sail or one of our airing couuterpanes serves as 

 a couch. Then another cigar; and about four o'clock 

 we have coffee, which we frequently take in the open air. 

 In the afternoon each goes to his own work or amuse- 

 ment; and, punctually at seven, the evening meal is on 

 the table, tea with bread and butter and cold meat. The 

 evening finds us at different occupations, either above 

 or below; some playing chess or cards, smoking, and 

 trying, in mutual reminiscences of home and talk of 

 future plans, to divert our thoughts, which, under the 

 scouted name of home-sickness, will creep in now and 

 then, particularly when we are out on a moonlight night. 

 Between ten and twelve o'clock, we climb into our berths, 

 and enjoy (except on stormy nights) a sound and healthy 

 sleep. Over the smoking in the cabin there soon arose a 

 lively debate. We found that amongst us, a thing very 

 common in Germany, three were inveterate smokers ; 

 that three were decidedly the contrary, and that the 

 seventh was neutral. On account of the smallness of 

 the cabin, this was a decided difficulty. At last we came 

 to an agreement, that there should be perfect liberty to 

 smoke in the cabin from twelve until an hour before the 

 evening meal ; for the rest of the day it was forbidden . 

 Should this interdict prove too burdensome for any one, 

 he must have recourse to the deck ; and he who at any 



