284 The Story of the New England Whalers 



Said a writer in Hunt's Merchants' Magazine, 

 November, 1840: 



"The appearance of most whalemen when 

 they return from a voyage is hardy and robust 

 in the extreme; the substantial food and bracing 

 air, afforded by the circumstances in which they 

 are placed, as well as their violent exercise, serv- 

 ing to give remarkable vigor and animation 

 to their constitution. The class of men acting 

 in the capacity of masters cannot be regarded 

 with too great respect. As a body they are men 

 who have combined in their character the most 

 valuable traits; cool, determined, and brave, 

 they bear the weight of duties and encounter 

 hazards which could hardly be appreciated upon 

 the land. A striking difference exists, however, 

 in the success of different masters. Some appear 

 always endowed with good luck, while others 

 are as uniformly unfortunate in their expeditions. 

 Doubtless the different success of these captains 

 may be attributable to a diversity in skill, energy, 

 knowledge, and prudence; yet it is often owing 

 to circumstances which are known only to the 

 Omniscient. We have in our eye one of these 



