MAY-DAY CEREMONIES. 
‘37 
riably penetrated to liis throat, and filled his mouth 
with its superabundant juices. The shaving of 
such as were decent, well-behaved and orderly 
characters, though at the best not very delicate, 
was, nevertheless, accomplished without any seve¬ 
rity ; but some who had shipped themselves as 
seamen, and proved to be not only unacquainted 
with the profession, but, at the same time, mean 
and worthless characters, were shaven with vast 
deliberation and coarseness. Two of these being 
introduced to Neptune in the character of hypo¬ 
crites, were ordered by him to pass through two 
or three courses of the operation, on the principle, 
that, all hypocrites having two faces, it was neces¬ 
sary to scrape frequently and deeply, that the 
false face might be removed, and the true one ap¬ 
pear ! The shaving being concluded, and all 
hands made free, a sort of rude masquerade com¬ 
menced. The characters were not numerous, 
but they were, in general, well supported. The 
introduction of a female character, the wife of 
Neptune, though any thing but lovely, gave^oc¬ 
casion for battle, plot, and dramatic incident. 
This scene being passed, the ship’s company were 
marshalled on deck and reviewed. Feats of agi¬ 
lity by individuals succeeded ; and some tumb¬ 
ling, which was commenced by an expert master 
of the ceremonies, was attempted by all hands. 
