The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-05-13
THE sAILoR-sr cuArrArnn.Asp.

Sailors have a passion for their vessel. They
weep with regret on quitting it. They cannot re-
main with their families after having sworn hun
dred tunes to expose themselves more to the sea,
they find it impossible to live from il, like young
lover who cannot tear himself from a faithless and
stormy mistress. In the docks of London and
Plymouth, it is not find sailors born on board
ships-from their infancy to their old age they have
the land but from the dock of their float
ing crade-spectators of the world they have never
entered. Within this life, narrowed 10 so small a
space under the clouds and the abyss, every
thing is animated for the mariner; anchor, a
sail, mast, cannon, are the creatures OF his af-
fections, and have each their history: THAT sail
was shivered on the coast of Labrador-the master
SALESMAN mended it with the piece you see-tbat
anchor saved the vessel, when all the other anchors
were lost r the midst of coral rocks off the Sand
wcli Isles-that mast was broken by hurricane
off the Cape of Good Hope-it but single
piece, but is much stronger that it is compos-
ed of Two peces-the cannon which you see
Is the only one which not dismounted at the
battle of the Chesapeake. Then the most interest,"
ing news abroad -" The log has just been thrown
the vessel is going ten knots an hour-the sky is
clear at noon-an observation has been taken-tbey
are of such lattude-so many leagues have been
made in the right direction-the needle declines it
is such degree-the sand of the glass runs badly
1T threatens rain--fyng fish have been seen
water has changed its coor-pieces Of wood have
been seen floating by-sea gulls and wild ducks
have been seen--a little bird has perched upon the
yards-t is necessary to stand out to sea- for is
dangerous TO approach it duringthe night" Among
the poultry is avOrlte sacred cock, which has
vived all the others-it is famous for having crowed
during battle, if in farm yard, in the midst of
his hens. Under the deck lives cat of tortoise
colored skin, bushy tail, long, stiff moustaches, firm
his feet and caring not for the roll of the vessel
1t has twice made voyage round the world, and
saved itself from wreck cask. The cabin
boy gives to the cock biscuits soaked in wine and
the cat has the privilege of sleeping when it likes,
in the hammock of the first lieutenant.
The aged sailor resembles the aged laborer. The
harvests different it is true the sailor has led
a wandering life, the laborer has never quilted his
field, in ploughng its furrows TO the one, the lark,
the red breast and nightingaeto the other, the al
batross, the curew and the kngisher, are prophets.
They retire in the evening, the one into his cabin,
the other into his cottage; fra tenements, but
where the hurricane which shakes them does ag-
itate their tranquil consciences.
In the winds tempestuous blowing,
Still no danger they descry;
The guiless heart, its boon bestowing,
Sooths them with its lullaby.
The sailor knows not where death will surprise
him, or what coast he will leave his life Per-
haps he will minge his last sigh with the wind, at
taced to a raft to continue his voyage perhaps he
will sleep inferred desert island, which none
may ever light upon again, as he slept alone in his
hammock in the mids, of the ocean. The vessel is
itself spectacle. Sensible to The slightest move
ment Of the helm, an hippogrif or winged cruiser,
it obrys the hand of the pilot horse the hand of
its rider The elegance of the masts and cordage,
the agility of the sailors who cluster about the yards
the different aspect in which the ship presents ITSELF
whether it advances learning upon the water by
contrary wind, or flies straight forward before fa
vorable breeze, make this scientific machine one of
the wonders of the genius of man. Sometimes the
waves break against its sides, and dash up the spray
sometimes the tranquil water divides without resis-
lance before its prow.-Tbe flags, the lights, the
sails, complete this palace of Neptune. The MAIN
sails, unfurling in all their breadth, belly out like
cylinders the top-sails, reefed in the midst,
resemble the breast of mermaid. Animated by
mpetuous wind, the vessel with its keel, as with the
share of the plough burrows as with mighty noise
the fields of the