84 Crossing the Line ' 



1809 



I'm not sure, Fred, that there is not that same shaving process they practise 

 on the hne occasionally performed for us by parents and guardians at home; 

 and I'm not certain that the iron hoop of old Neptune is not a pleasanter 

 acquaintance than the hair-tiigger of some indignant and fire-eating brother. 



(Charles Lever. Charles O'Malley: the Irish dragoon. Chapter 96, "The 

 Confidence," in the original edition; Dublin; 1841; v. 2; p. 162.) 



The period is the Peninsular War, rather than 1841, the date of first pubhcation of the novel. 

 In the niidst of their attacks and counterattacks on the field of battle, O'MaUey and Fred Power 

 find time for hghter if not more vital things to talk about. Power sadly turning to O'Malley for 

 consolation over his being turned down by the girl in Portugal he had fallen in love with. Power 

 says "You adventure upon love as upon a voyage to India . . . Happy were it for us that in our 

 courtship, as in our voyage, there were some certain Rubicon to remind us of the mues we have 

 journeyed!" Mention of Öie "certain Rubicon" brings forth this sage and experienced comment 

 by our Irish dragoon. 



One more welcome note of our ceremony in fiction. 



1812 



On the 23d [of November, 1812], we were honoured by a visit from the gods 

 of the ocean, accompanied by Amphitrite and a numerous retinue of imps, 

 barbers, &c. &c. in his usual style of visiting, and in the com-se of the after- 

 noon all the novices of the ship's company were initiated into his mysteries. 

 Neptune, however, and most of his suite, paid their devotions so frequently 

 to Bacchus, that before the ceremony of christening was half gone through, 

 their godships were imable to stand; the business was therefore entrusted 

 to the subordinate agents, who performed both the shaving and washing 

 with as httle regard to tenderness as his majesty would have done. On the 

 whole, however, they got through the business with less disorder and more 

 good humour than I expected; and although some were most unmercifully 

 scraped, the only satisfaction sought was that of shaving others in their turn 

 with new invented tortmes. 



( David Porter. Journal of a cruise made to the Pacific Ocean by Captain 

 David Porter, in the United States frigate Essex, in the years 1812, 1813, 

 and 1814. Philadelphia, 1815. v. 1, p. 17-18.) 



1814 



A few days before the last storms, we crossed the tropical hne. On crossing 

 it, the usual ceremonies were gone through with on board our schooner. I 

 say usual, because the practice was one which was never omitted; but 

 I learn that it is now not so common on board of American vessels — 

 and I hope that the good sense and intelligence of all masters, will lead 

 them to do away with the cruel and barbarous practice. It is a custom more 

 honored in the breach than in the observance. 



As we drew near the hne, a hoarse, rough voice hailed us, with the salu- 

 tation of 'Schooner ahoy! What schooner's that!' To this oiur captain rephed. 



