CHRISTMAS DAY. 71 



for the purpose of fishing. They cure their catchings, 

 and at periodical seasons a vessel visits them, bring- 

 ing them supplies and carrying away their accumula- 

 tions of fish. From the quantity and quality of their 

 prey in the vicinity, I should think the business must 

 be lucrative, and, indeed, it ought to be, to compen- 

 sate for the isolation men must feel in this out of the 

 way spot. This island being only sixty miles distant 

 from Amsterdam, is easily distinguished on a clear 

 day. 



Nothing occurred from this time until Christmas 

 day, when, of course, we who were brought up to 

 the southward of the New England States, expected 

 some observance of the time-honored customs of the 

 day ; but what was our surprise to see the work 

 going on as usual ; no diflerence being made, except 

 breaking out a cheese, and distributing it amongst 

 the crew, fore and aft. This humble fare, being so 

 long deprived of, we hailed with acclamation, and 

 partook of with avidity. This method of observing 

 Christmas was persisted in during the voyage ; on 

 one, however, nothing either in the fare, or relaxa- 

 tion of discipline, served to mark the anniversary; 

 on another we were agreeably surprised by the 

 steward's making mince pies for the whole ship's 

 company. New England men pay very little heed 

 to the coming of Christmas day, they having been 

 accustomed from childhood to reo-ard Thanksojivino; 

 as a much more important holiday ; and as they 

 cannot tell at sea when Thanksgiving day comes, the 

 only holiday left is the Fourth of July ; and two 

 out of the three recurrences of this glorious da}-, 

 v.hilst I was aboard the sliip, were unmarked by 



