HOMELESS CHILDREN OF THE SEA. 3!^1 



(those of the Mediterranean were the most popular) 

 for four or six months, when they would be sure 

 of their monthly wages ; and should they carry 

 out their resolves, they might then return to their 

 homes. This plan sounds foolish, and was foolish, 

 l^o doubt they would be welcome to their relatives, 

 with or without money ; but I must confess that in 

 the face of the warmest letters, and in the full assu- 

 rance and conviction of the heartiest welcome, I 

 myself felt a reluctance in returning, without some- 

 thing of moment to show, as a remuneration for 

 almost four years of exile. 



The last class (very few in number) is, those who 

 had no homes — children of the sea. These did not 

 take the same warm interest in a return to the States 

 as we did; or, rather, it is a different interest — a 

 mere sensual feeling : a desire to have a good spree, 

 and be off again. They had no settled plan, but 

 were ready, as soon as their money or credit became 

 exhausted, to go here or there, as the caprice of the 

 moment or the prospect of gain might lead them. 

 Poor fellows ! theirs was a hard prospective, and 

 they felt it ; for, when those, who were so blessed, 

 gathered around each other, and talked of a reunion 

 with parents, brothers, and sisters, they would walk 

 moodily and alone, or strive by a reckless air to 

 show their contempt for the comforts of home — but 

 it was in vain. These now expected to follow the 

 sea for their bread, just as the farmer does his plough. 

 In the absence of good examples ashore, they had 

 nothing to give them a strong bias to remain there ; 

 they considered the ocean as the granary from which 

 their daily provision must be procured. God direct 



