FROM EDINBURGH TO THE ANTARCTIC 43 
rest. Poor fellows, they did not bring a very extensive 
wardrobe with them ! It was difficult enough to hide 
away their bodies in the harpoon chest, without bringing 
any baggage on board ; but they look cheerful and hope- 
ful now, seemingly well satisfied with the berth fortune 
has given them. 
Another group is at work tautening the main-shrouds 
and backstays, hauling on them with block and tackle. 
We have old-fashioned shrouds, with 'dead-eyes and lan- 
yards, much more elastic and picturesque than the modern 
screw-till-you-break style of thing. The backstays are 
quite a feature in a whaler ; we have three for the top- 
mast, two to'gallant, and a royal — more than the usual 
number, to make the masts stand the violent jerks forward 
when the vessel collides with the ice. Aft on the quarter- 
deck or poop the group of figures at work suggest the 
great London painter's picture of the ' Arts of Peace/ with 
the ladies and the elegance left out. ' Sails ' is working 
for dear life, making his needle fly through the tough 
canvas. The second mate and some of his watch are 
hauling long rolls of sail from below the cabin for repairs, 
all wet and torn, and promising ' Sails' many a day's work 
before they are fit to hold wind again. I am busy, too, 
lettering the flag-signal bags, and making pictures — quite 
in my element, I confess, for I believe in the usefulness of 
art. It appears to me that what is called Art for Art is 
dilettantism, just as Sport for Sport is butchery. 
The sea is deep blue this evening, tinged with red 
from a fine- weather sunset. A pleasant warm wind from 
the north sends us steadily on our course. Our square 
