2o8 



called upon to undergo this chnftening ce«* 

 remony, as the talk of initiation. 



As paflengers we were honored with a 

 vifit from father Neptime and his fpoufe, to 

 welcome us to their tropical dweUmg, and to 

 announce to us the propriety and neceffity 

 of the baptifmal vow : but we compromifed 

 the difcipline of dipping and (having, by of- 

 fering the tribute of a few gallons of rum ; 

 and petitioning the beauteous Amphitrlte 

 to intercede in our behalf. Neverthelefs, we 

 were taught that it would be prudent to re» 

 pain, quietly, in the cabin, during this briny 

 chriftening of the failors. 



The fervants were led by curiofity to 

 vifit the deck, hoping to witnefs the ceremony 

 without becoming, themfelves, the objedls of 

 it : but they were fpeedily prefented with a 

 complete wafliing of fea-water, and obliged 

 to beat a hafty retreat, in order to efcape the 

 fhaving : one of them, who was a great cox- 

 comb in his drefs, grew violently enraged, 

 and felt highly indignant that the lailors 



