CHAP. XXIX.] COMFORTS OF A PRAU. 195 



to freedom from all restraint of dress, hours of meals, &c., 

 and to the civility and obliging disposition of the captain. 

 I had agreed to have my meals with him, but whenever I 

 wished it I had them in my own berth, and at what 

 hours I felt inclined. The crew were all civil and good- 

 tempered, and with very little discipline everything went 

 on smoothly, and the vessel was kept very clean and in 

 pretty good order, so that on the whole I was much 

 delighted with the trip, and was inclined to rate the 

 luxuries of the semi-barbarous prau as surpassing those of 

 the most magnificent screw-steamer, that highest result 

 cif our civilization. 



