8 
REFLECTIONS. 
plunging, following the leader in a long straight 
line as if they were enjoying themselves to their 
heart’s content. With all these sources of interest 
and amusement, however, there was much time 
for meditation and reflection ; and we could not 
help thinking how different w^ere the interests that 
sway the minds of those "that go down to the 
sea in ships, and occuj)y their husiness in great 
waters.” 
All emigrant ship witli youth, health, and hope 
on board goes scudding jiast, and borne on the 
breeze comes ever and anon the refrain of their 
favourite song : — 
“ To the West ! to the West ! the Land of the Free ! 
AVhere the mighty Missouii rolls down to the sea. ” 
The skipper of an Iiidiaman, or Ocean Clipper, is 
thinking only wdiat a splendid passage he will make; 
the electrician is anxious for the perfection of his 
tests and the integrity of his cable ; the mail agent 
has eyes only for his letter bags; the sjiortsman will 
try his skill upon some unoffending sea-bird ; the 
