SABBATH-KEEPING WHALER. 255 



one instance or more it did, of upwards of 800. 

 Consequently, every motive of self-interest with 

 myself, was in favour of unceasing exertions 

 during the whole seven days of the week, for 

 promoting the success of our undertaking. The 

 practice, moreover, among the northern whalers, 

 at that time, was almost universal, with the 

 exception of one revered individual, now no 

 more, and occasionally, perhaps, of another 

 honourable example of forbearance, to pursue 

 . the fishery equally on the Lord's day, as at any 

 other time, whenever whales were astir. Works 

 connected with the fishery, indeed, but con- 

 sidered of less importance, were, for the most 

 part, suspended in honour of the Sabbath ; but 

 the capture of whales, if opportunity offered, 

 was considered as such a kind of necessity, as 

 to justify a departure from the ordinary rest of 

 the day. For it was argued, and that with rea- 

 son, that the whales which were seen on the 

 Sabbath might not remain till another day ; 

 and, therefore, it was inferred, though by no 

 means with the same strictness of truth, that 

 it was a necessary duty to pursue the objects 



