50 Crossing the Line 



1768, continued 



Other editions of the voyage follow much the same line, in varying degrees of fullness and 

 accuracy. Low about 1900, Lloyd in 1949. And so too such lives as those by Kippis, Kitson, and 

 James Alexander WiEiamson. 



The voyages of 1772 and 1776 are noted below under their respective dates. 



1772 



At length, on the 8th of September, we crossed the line in the longitude of 

 8° West; after which the ceremony of ducking &c. generally practiced on 

 this occasion, was not omitted. 



(James Cook. A voyage towards the south pole and round the world. Per- 

 formed in His Majesty's Ships the Resolution and Adventure, in the years 

 1772, 1773, 1774, and 1775. London; Strahan and Cadell, 1777. v. 1, p. 11.) 



On the 9th, having passed the hne with a light air, our crew ducked such of 

 their shipmates as had never crossed it before, and did not care to redeem 

 themselves by paying a certain forfeit of brandy. Those who had been obliged 

 to undergo a briny submersion, changed their linen and clothes; and as this 

 can never be done too often, especially in warm weather, the ducking proved a 

 salutary operation to them. The quantity of strong hquors, arising from the 

 forfeits of the rest, served to heighten jovial humoi.tr, which is the prominent 

 characteristic of sailors. 



( George Forster. A voyage round the world, in His Britannic Majesty's 

 Sloop, Resolution, commanded by Capt. James Cook, during the years 

 1772, 3, 4, and 5. London, 1777. v. 1, p. 4&-49. ) 



1774 



We are now fairly under the Tropick and are preparing for a farce that is 

 played on this occasion by every ship that goes to or fro under the Tropick. 

 It is, it seems, a sort of Mason word, and till I am admitted in form, I must not 

 appear to know it. I shall therefore only tell you that we have been made to 

 expect a visit from old Tropicus and his ancient dame. He is a wizard and she 

 a witch who inhabit an invisible Island in these Seas, and have a privilege 

 of raising contributions from every Ship that passes their dominions, only 

 however from such as never was that way before. But my account is cut short 

 by the appearance of the Actors, who are dressed for their parts. Tropicus is 

 performed by an old rough dog of a Tar, who needs very little alteration to 

 become a callaban in mind and body, but his wife is played by a very hand- 

 some fellow, who is completely transformed. Every body is below waiting, in 

 trembhng expectation, and no wonder, for an awful ceremony this Visitation 

 is. Tropick the Island was no sooner seen, than tlie Jolly boat was taken down, 

 on pretence of going with the Captain aboard it to meet him, but in fact to 

 be fiUed fuU of pump water for a use you shall hear by and by. This being done 

 Tropick is spoke to thro' the trumpet, and a hollow voice demands what 

 strangers are aboard. All this the people below hear, and tho' many of the 



