102 FROM EDINBURGH TO THE ANTARCTIC 
most effective part of the get-up was the head-gear. The 
wig was made of light-coloured rope strands, and hung 
all over his shoulders and round his copper-coloured face, 
like the stiff ringlets of a sculptured Assyrian king. His 
crown was made of new tin, and glittered splendidly in 
the blazing sunlight, and his trident was of the same 
precious metal. Mrs. Neptune was also a very imposing 
figure, and with a slight alteration of dress would have 
done well in the part of Mrs. Gamp. Her towsy locks 
escaped from beneath a tin crown in beautiful confusion, 
a scarlet handkerchief with white spots fell over her 
ample bosom, and with the ends of this handkerchief she 
modestly tried to conceal a stubbly chin and ferocious 
moustache. The hand thus coyly displayed was not 
