Waco evening news. (Waco, Tex.) 1888-1889, 1888-10-01
NOTIONS Aeou1srAe SEA.

NOTIONS AeouTArHe SEA-
Popular Proverbs and sayings Concerning
tho Ocean Maritime Expressions.
improvements in the vehicles, instru-
ments and modes of navigation have
robbed the sea of much Of its terrible
character, but we shall, nevertheless, find
existing among the peoples OF both con-
tinents, as shown by their popular pro-
verbs and sayings, q wholesome fear Of
the sea, ii recognition of its terrible power,
as well rs many curious notions about
The watery element, its inhabitants and
its characteristics
The saying Of DIR. johnson, mo
man will be sailor who has
continuance enough to get HIM
self into JAIL" is more than par
alleled by proverbs current among
European nations. An old French maxim
was: "IIe who trusts himself on the sea
is either fool, or he spoor, or he wants
to die" One of the alternatives serves as
poor excuse to the Spauiard, who says:
Better walk poor than to sail rich." In
the same spirit is conceived the Italian
proverb, Praise the sea, but stay on
shore" HE who would learn to pray
should 60 to sea-" says well known
proverb and "Ie who does not venture
upon the sea, knows not what God is,
replies that most hardy and adventure
some of maritime nations, the Dutch.
The Russians say, when you walk, pray
once; when you go to sea, pray twice;
when you go to be married, pray three
times"
These sayings outline in general way
| the dangerous character Of the sea, and
its treacherous nature. its instability
and its immensely, are pointed out by
| other proverbs and aphorisms.
1.-THE sea makes some rich, others
| poor" is n general proposition enunci-
ated in Il Provencal adage, but the Amer
can proverb, Work with me and will
nourish you; look out for me or will
! drown you, teaches the uncertain nature
Of the sea life, and we may be disposed
to heed the warning embodied in the
Turkish maxim, Trust not the discourse
Of the great, the duration Of calm at
sea, tho lucidity of the fleeing day, the
vigor of thy horse, or the speech of
woman" The gentle sex is classed with
the treacherous element in other proverbs.
current among many nations. Woman,
however, is often the greater sufferer
from the dangerous nature of the sailors
calling, and Tamil provcrb says, "Tho
wife of the shpmaster is in lucky situa-
ton so long as the ship Is safe; If 1t Is
lost, she must beg. 1.-The sea has no
branches Ito cling toy, therefore 1t is bet
ter to stay on Shore" said the German
!, woodsman, and the French rustic agrees
with him: "Admire the sea as much IA
you will, but don't stir from the COW
sheds" The Arab fears the sea today
much as he did in the Fifteenth century,
when he declared that the hand of Satan
rose from the bosom of tho ''sca Of dark
ness" to seize his frail bark. 1T is bet
ter" says he, ito hear the belchings Of
the camel than the prayers of the fish,"
and he declares the obstinate and danger
GUS character of the stormy sea in the
adage 1.-THE sea has n tender stomach,
ing, " says an old French proverb, stake
the sea, but creep 10 the Shore" and an
older saying from u facetious work q
century old concludes thus: 1.-The ship
r is a fool, for it moves continually; tho
sailor isa fool, for he changes his mind
with every breeze; the water is a fool,
) for it is never still; tho wind is FOOL
t for it blows without ceasing Let us
make an end Mt once of navigation"
Concerning the tides, waves and salt
water, there have been many curious
sayings rs well rs strange supersti-
tons. That which goes with tho
ebb comes back with the flood" is an
other way Of expressing well known
sailor adage that "What comes by STAR
board goes by larboard." Another French
proverb Is expressive Of extreme defiance
of difficulties: ITO brave dangers as tho
leeward tide does tho wind" What u
{ beautiful idea is that conveyed by the
a Sanscrit sentences: 1T is the poets and
not the ordinary men who rejoice in
beautiful poetical expressions; the influ-
ence Of the rays Of the moon swels tho
sea, but not the brook"
= The use Of maritime expressions ia
[ much more common even among lands
men far from the sound Of the sea than
it Is usually supposed to be. The Dutch
j., are proverbially addicted to the use of
sea language, their inheritance from the
:, sea robbers of the Sixteenth century, and
c Mr.. Clark Russell has shown that the
/. English language borrows many of its
0 most expressive phrases from the sailors.
We say a couple are ''spliced," young
4 man is the ''main stay" Of the family,
an irterloper ''puts his oar in" the
:, member from Podunk ''steers through, -
q man is "hard up" we are frequently
d "taken aback," a topper is sslewed," q
loafer "spins yarn" you must .try the
d other tack" etc., etc., all sea expires
sons beyond doubt. "Under false
= colors" would DO said Of ship, as wei
= as of traitor. s. Dassett in Globe
I Democrat.
Herr Ecltoen vauss