316 WHALING AND F13HINO. 



at a better understanding of "Burns's delightful 

 songs and poems, than I would else ever have 

 attained. 



It was on this voyage that I saw illustrated to 

 better advantage than ever before, the uses of a 

 barometer. Our captain owned a most excellent 

 one, and by long study had made himself a 

 scientific observer of its mercurial motions. I 

 have before stated, that to watch the compass was 

 his greatest delight. Next in importance to this 

 was the barometer. When on deck, particularly 

 on this homeward passage, he vibrated regularly 

 between the binnacle and the barometer. When 

 at dinner, he would look up to see how she headed, 

 and then rise to glance at the barometer. In the 

 night, if his eyes opened to look at the compass 

 overhead, his mouth at the same time opened to 

 shout " how's the barometer, Jims? " 



I must own that much trouble was saved us by 

 his close watch of this weather gauge. The Afri- 

 can coast is squally. The squalls do not rise 

 gradually and perceptibly, as in other latitudes, 

 but burst suddenly upon a vessel, giving no pre- 

 vious warning to the most watchful mariner. But 

 by the aid of our faithful barometer the approach 

 of one of these unwelcome visitors could be fore- 

 told some hours. 



Thus, we would be going along with studding- 

 sails set, under a press of canvas, and with a 

 good and fair breeze; no sign in the heavens 

 would indicate a change. While congratulating 



