CHAPTER XIX. 



8TIPEB8TITI0NS CONNECTED WITH THE OCEAN. 



** I saw the new moon late yestreen 

 With the old moon in her arm; 

 And if we go to sea master, 



I fear we'll come to harm." — Old Ballad. 



:T is not surprising that men accustomed to the 

 monotony of a seafaring life, remote from 

 the educational influences afforded to those on 

 land, with the many wonders of the vast ocean 

 around them, full of strange mystery, which 

 science only can partially unveil ; with minds thus generally 

 untutored, and consequently more susceptible to supersti- 

 tious fancies, it is not astonishing that such persons should 

 be among the most credulous of mankind. It is true that 

 the spread of knowledge in modern times has removed 

 many of the absurd notions peculiar to seamen ; but, as a 

 class, they may still be considered among the foremost be- 

 lievers in the supernatural. 



From the earliest times the sea has been regarded as the 

 region of fabulous marvels. The ancient mariners per- 

 formed their voyages in a vague mist of capricious doubts 

 and fancies, omens and prognostics, which excited terror or 

 inspired confidence. Every object that met their gaze was 

 endowed by them with some miraculous agency for good or 

 for evil. Their course over unknown waters, peopled by 

 their mythology with imaginary creatures, would naturally 

 create awe and suspicion. 



