NAUTICAL SHAVING. 
11 
of a pair of fantastical trovvsers, with a conical cap on liis head; 
his body wrs painted with various marine devices, and a largq 
swab (which is composed of strands of ropes nntwisted, and is 
used by the seamen for the same purpose as a mop ; answering 
' also for a cloth to wipe up wet, &c.) hanging behind ; m his 
hand a tiident, on the barbed points of which was stuck 
a piece of salt fisli, as tiie produce of his dominions. Amphi- 
trite, or, as they call her, Mrs, Neptune, was personated by the^ 
boatswain's mate, an arch fellow, decked m the clothes 
of some of the women on board : in his hand he held a harpoon. 
The sons were dressed similar to old Neptune. The ship's crew 
had beforehand got the carriage of our bow-chase-gun ready^^ 
with two tubs for them to sit on. And now if the reader pleases, 
we will follow them in procession round all the decks : hrst, those 
' who had before crossed the Tropics, had each a boarding pike 
in his hand, to enforce order and attention, and at the same timç 
to keep those below who had not midergone this watery 
ordeal. Every thing being now in readiness, the constables 
>vere sent first to clear the way : then marched the lifer and 
drummer, playing See the conquering hero comes;'' next two 
barbers, w ith tremendous razors made of old hoops, one smooth 
for those who behave well, and the other iike a saw for all who 
rebel : then came the secretary with his book, and a list of 
the names of those who had not crossed the line ; by his side 
Vi'as ph^ced another barber, w ith a bucket of tar, and something 
with it which it would not be altogether delicate to mention. 
After these came the Tritons, six drawing the car; in the front 
the two sons, Neptune and his wife, with the servant behind. In 
this order, they proceeded thrice round the deck, amidst repeated 
shouts and bursts of laughter. At length the car stopped against 
the pumps; where there w-as a large tub placed full of water; 
and now the clerk first called on the constables to bring the 
purser's steward, one to whom the sailors in general have a 
peculiar antipathy, as they suppose he frequently abridges a 
portion of their provisions, to enrich his master. With a great 
c|eal of mirth he was brought out of the hold, between twQ con- 
stables, blind-folded, and placed o\i a board over the tub. The 
barber, whose office it was to apply the Ip^ther, j. e. tar and — — , 
tirst put some questions to him, such as What made him come 
to sea.^" &c. : but he being forewarned, kept his mouth shut close, 
which was not the case with others who in consequence received a 
quantum sujficit of this delicious compound. Fniding him 
aware of their manœuvre, the tar brush was liberally applied 
in all directions ; the barber with his fine razor then gave hiiu 
^ scrape^ which occasioning him to struggle, the plank waa 
