CHAP, iv.] RUNTS AT SEA. BODNEY's BANTAM. 95 



maccaroni, &c., frequently sail thence direct to Russia 

 to St. Petersburgh or Archangel, without touching 

 port at Yarmouth, though they may even perhaps pass 

 through the Roads, and get a glimpse of their town, 

 and speak a friendly vessel or two. The Yarmouth 

 sailors are very fond of buying Pigeons in the Mediter- 

 ranean ports, and they are great pets on board ship*. 

 They breed there in lockers and hen-coops, and are 

 sometimes allowed their liberty, and permitted to fly 

 round about the vessel, while she is pursuing her course 

 on a fine day. If the breeze is but steady they get on 

 very well, and enjoy themselves as much as they would 

 in calm weather on shore. The mathematical reader 

 will remember, that as the wind and the ship are both 

 proceeding (we will suppose the ship to be sailing right 

 before the wind) in one direction, the excess of the velo- 

 city of the wind above that of the ship is all the Pigeons 

 would have to contend with; and that, in a fast sailer, is 

 nothing formidable, while a moderate breeze is blowing. 

 It is squally weather that would be their ruin ; and then 

 they are kept safe within-doors. At the Russian ports 

 the ship parts with her cargo of fruits, &c., perhaps also 

 with some of her Pigeons, and returns home, laden with 

 tallow, hemp, hides, &c. ; and, perhaps, the choicest of 

 the birds are after all brought home to please a friendly 



* These feathered favourites at sea are particularly interesting. 

 Here is one which ought to be immortalised. It would do capitally 

 either for a statuette or a bas-relief. 



" In the famous victory of the 12th April, a little Bantam Cock 

 perched himself upon the poop of Rodney's ship, and at every broad- 

 side that was poured into the ' Ville de Paris/ clapt his wings and 

 crew. Eodney gave special orders that this Cock should be taken 

 care of as long as he lived." Southey's Common Place Book, 2nd 

 Series, p. 607. 



