fEK PHOTOGRAPH 01- SAMPSON'. 151 



exhibit the substantial evidences of their skill. Sometimes a 

 liuge shark is thus exhibited. The great variety of the fish, 

 (often a dozen or more different kinds,) the large size of most, 

 and the brilliant colors and wonderful beauty of many when first 

 taken from the water, attract the attention of tlie guests of the 

 hotel, and secure many exclamations of astonishment and pleas- 

 ure. Some usually are then given to the hotel steward, and the 

 balance to the boatmen. But the dead sharks often yield up 

 their large and well armed jaws, and sometimes their spinal col- 

 umns, as trophies to their captors, who esteem them as souvenirs. 



It is often amusing, and always interesting, to watch and listen 

 to the boatmen while they canvass for customers. In this busi- 

 ness Sampson is an adept, and always eminently conspicuous. 

 His good sense, experience, volubility and zealous and persistent 

 attention to his business, place him naturally in advance of hia 

 competitors. His dress is always neat and showy, but his ward- 

 robe is evidently pretty well stocked, for he frequently blossoms 

 out in costumes of varied styles and colors. Neither does his ever 

 active tongue vibrate always alike, or his thoughts and illustra- 

 tions run in the same well oiled groove. We add a little jDen 

 picture as a sample of Avhat is daily seen and heard on such oc- 

 casions. 



To a group of gentlemen and ladies sitting cosily in large arm 

 chairs in the cool shade of the court of the Royal Victoria, Samp- 

 son is telling his story, and answering questions. He is about 

 six feet high, muscular, well-formed, bright, active, ingenious, 

 good-natured, and cunning. He on this occasion sports a clean, 

 white jacket, with a wide turn-over collar, lined with blue cloth, 

 and having a white lino running round it. Its pockets are adorned 

 with blue binding. In one of the pockets is a white handker- 

 chief, ornamented with red lines and red corners. His shirt has 

 no collar, but it is well laundi'ied, and its bosom sjjorts a gold 



