The Nineteenth Century 163 



The day ended with songs and an extra glass of vodka. 



(A. Vysheslavtzev. Ocherki perom i karandoshom iz Krugosvetnovo 

 plavaniya v 1857, 1858, 1859, 1860. [Pen and pencil sketches from the 

 voyage around the world made in 1857-1860.] St. Petersburg, Moscow, 

 1867. 2nd ed., rev., p. 43^4.) 



The translation is by Dr. Avrahm Yarmolinsky. 



By this time the crossing is but one more day's work, at least we find no mention of "mass 

 and prayers of thanksgiving" nor toasts to His Imperial Majesty as Lisyanki on the 'Neva 

 reported in 1803. 



1864 



The Tropic of Cancer was passed with festivities for the amusement of the 

 saüors, — a custom which is usually observed only at the crossing of the 

 equator. Sauors disguised as Neptune, Amphitrite, and other sea gods and 

 goddesses, appeared in triumphal cars upon the deck, made orations to the 

 Emperor and officers, and promised their blessing to the unbaptized, where- 

 upon the signal was given for a general showering and sprinkling, from 

 which the ladies only were entirely exempt. The water ran in streams over 

 the lower deck; at the close, the sailors danced merrily to the sound of 

 music, performed by a well-trained band, which afiForded us a very pleasant 

 recreation every day. 



(Countess Paula Kollonitz. The court of Mexico. By the Countess Paula 

 KoUonitz, lady-in-waiting to the Empress Charlotte. Translated by J. E. 

 Ollivant, M.A., Balliol College, Oxford. 2nd ed. London: Saunders, 

 Odey, and Co., 1868. p. 59.) 



Crossing must have been in May, 1864 as they sailed from Trieste on April 14, 1864. Preface 

 is dated August, 1866; preface to second edition, Vienna, May 30, 1867; preface by translator, 

 Llandaff, September 25, 1867. 



1866 



On the 4th of August, 1866, crossed the Equator in about Longitude 

 1° 27' 21" west, but were not favored with a visit from Neptune, who woiJd 

 have had ample work from the number of green hands on board. As the days 

 of ofFerings to the Monarch of the Sea are over, he might be excused for a 

 display of ul-temper, but in case oiur escaping the penalty of weather is due 

 to disagreement between him and the clerk of the weather, we are perfectly 

 willing, from our knowledge of the "Ashuelot's" seagoing quahties, that the 

 difficulty may continue. 



(Manuscript diary of William A. H. Allen, assistant engineer, U. S. Navy, 

 in Library of Congress.) 



Note how in 1834 Dana says that "this ancient custom is now seldom allowed, unless there 

 are passengers on board," but leaves uncertain whether he is talking of merchant ships alone 

 or of the common custom on merchant or naval ships. In 1844 the tradition is faithfully ob- 

 served, even to the shaving and baptising of "the Reverend Clergy" in person of Father 

 DeSmet and his clerical assistants on their way to Oregon (DeSmet enough of a good feUow 

 at the end to thank "them for the entertainment they had afforded.") In 1845 Chaplain Colton 

 of our navy reports that "this ceremony was found such an infraction of discipHne, that it has 

 been discontinued on board our national ships. Our sailors were allowed to sphce the main- 



