16 THE WHARVES. 



wharves and sliipping; and, indeed, the scene there 

 presented was one of interest to any observer ; 

 bustle and activity was everywhere apparent; ships 

 loading, discharging, repairing, &c., in every direction. 

 Here one might be seen hove on her beam-ends, re- 

 ceiving a new copper jacket; another totally dis- 

 mantled, preparatory to receiving new spars ; ou 

 another the riggers were aloft at work, with their 

 merry song; below, still another might be seen, 

 weather-beaten and shabb}^ her copper covered with 

 moss and barnacles, she having returned but a few 

 hours before from a long voyage, and the casks 

 being hoisted from her hold contain part of her cargo 

 of oil, gleaned, during her four years of cruising, 

 from the monsters of the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, 

 Arctic, and Antarctic Oceans. Alongside this weather- 

 worn ship, and in strong contrast with her whole 

 appearance, lies a smart, trim-looking vessel, such a 

 one as makes Jack Tar's heart bound to look at ; her 

 hull is perfect in model, her spars all rake jauntily 

 aft, her yards are squared by the lifts and braces, 

 whilst the fresh appearance of her paint gives her a 

 coquettish look and bespeaks her ready for sea. ■ 

 They are now putting aboard of her the remnant of 

 her provisions not yet stowed ; and as we pass up the 

 gangway we come in contact with a sailor's chest 

 being conveyed aboard under the Argus eyes of its 

 hardy owner, who forms one of her crew. 



On the wharves hundreds of coopers are employed 

 coopering oil casks. Their continual strokes of 

 hammer upon driver, united with the heavy rolling 

 of the oil trucks, creating a Babel-like confusion from 

 which a stranger is glad to escape. 



