SEAMEN. 15 



seen a little of all services, sometimes succeed in 

 making themselves a puzzle, even to .he discrim- 

 inating vision of the shipper. 



Of these distinguishing marks it may be said 

 kowever, that the man-of- wars-man isknownj by 

 a certain jaunty neatness of attire, and a some 

 thing dashing, and carelessly gay, in his air ana 

 manner, which is above all others his peculiarity. 

 Let him dress as he will, he can never drop that 

 air of saucy recklessness. 



The merchant seaman is rough, weatherbeaten, 

 with hard features, face and neck bronzed by 

 many suns, and hands swollen by hard work. But 

 he is more particularly distinguishable by an in- 

 discribable awkwardness, in manner and gait. 

 Toil and exposure have made his body stiff and 

 clumsy. His tout ensemble presents more angulari- 

 ties than that of his brother of the service, and in 

 his motions he displays none of the easy grace of 

 the latter. Withal, his clothing fits him badly. 

 The most skillful tailor gives him up in despair, 

 and he lumbers through the world with an ungainly 

 roll, which somehow puts one in mind of a bear. It 

 IB in storm, and danger, " in the times that try 

 men's souls," that Forecastle Jack shows to ad- 

 vantage. 



But how shall I describe a whaleman? that 

 walking embodiment Eag-fair " patch upon 

 patch, and a patch over all." While Jack and I are 

 taking a survey of the office, there comes in a fair 

 specimen of the genus. " He is a boatsteerer '' 



