n6 FROM EDINBURGH TO THE ANTARCTIC 
c 
she looked down the hatch, and saw a big, black fist 
plunge a fork in the hen, and heard a hoarse voice 
growl, i I say, Bill, zvhat d'ye think this 'ere bl—y fowl 
died off 
We do not use such expressions in the cabin, for it is 
not right to speak in such a way either on the quarter- 
deck or aft the mainmast ; nor yet do we waste any 
time at dinner in subtle disputations. If a l< man has a 
fact to state he planks it down, and it is accepted, or 
contradicted, or let be. If he has a yarn to tell, we 
have it, and the next man tops it if he can. Philo- . 
sophy, science, and art you may discuss in a crofter's 
cottage, but they are too fragile beauties for the life on a 
Dundee whaler; and it is difficult to dilate on the relation 
of protoplasm to cellulae, or expatiate on the subtleties of 
Monticelli, when every moment you expect the soup 
kettle to take charge of the cabin. 
After the fleeting pleasures of plifm-duff and scouse we 
retire to our hammocks to smoke the pipe of peace or the 
cheroot of contentment 
I would here take this opportunity of giving to the 
world my still unpatented cure for all nervous diseases ; 
it is simplicity itself, and as assistant surgeon to the 
Bakena, at one shilling per month, I will guarantee its 
efficacy :■ — 
Advertisement. — After meals retire to your hammock. 
The hammock must be hung on board a sailing ship some- 
where near the line (no use on a steamer), and must be 
in some quiet, shady place on deck, under the boats or 
an awning, with a view of passing clouds and dancing 
