The Portland daily press., 1896-02-22

consists of the application of the most
fragrant water of my kingdom; the sec
ond is that intended for those who have
not yet recovered from their Northern
seasickness, and the third kind OF bap
tism is the unadulterated one called
Hocus Poous. There is no char go for
this, and you can have all you want"
Following the Speech from the Throne
Was the playing of an air by the royal
band, consisting of drum. accordion
and triangle. The initiates now descen-
ded to the lower deck, while thoss who
had graduated on previous sea voyages
leaned over the railing and enjoyed the
christening. The lady passengers were
honored first Each was addressed with
an appropriate sentiment and then q
bottle of cologne water was emptied on
her head.
The baptismal font, the exclusive
privilege of the male passengers, consis-
ted of an old but reliable sa1l This was
suspended in the rigging, like ham
mock, and then charged with sea water
by the ships hose ambitiously applied by
the Neptunian bath department. The
Initiate was first shaved. A mop did
service as a shaving brush, and with all
the lathering and shampooing the VIC
TINS head soon looked like a washtub
in active service. 1t took three royal
BARRIERS to balance the razor, which was
repeatedly sharpened on a strop extend
ing half way across the deck.
The passenger was next pitched into
the baptismal font and made to paddle
his way to the edge like fish, when
another ordeal awaited him. This con-
sisted in pushing him into long can
vas Extraordinarily usad for venti1ating
purposes and a hose turned on to him
until he finally came out at the other end
thoroughly humiliated. In some cases he
was asked to blow fog horn. While
doing his duty pail Of water sea was
was now fred off to impress the world
with the greatness of the equator bap-
tisln.
As soon as Neptune saw that his orders
had been fully carried out he comman-
ded all the initiates to approach, and
with outstretohed hands pronounced the
following benediction:
"My blessing be upon you all. Espec-
tally do I bless those who today received
the solemn rite of baptism. Your names
shall be entered upon the great register
with the royal seal. Neptuue's protect
ion and good will will follow you always
in hours of danger and need. I know
you appreciate my coming, for the day
was hot and the work almost killing.
Dear friends. farewell
His Majesty, Neptune, with his retinue
and the royal band, then headed a pro-
cession of the ships passengers and off,
GERS, and made the circuit of the ship
with the singing Of national eongs.
| At the banquet in the evening toasts
were responded to by the chief sufferers,
at the conclusion of which, amid the
waving of flags and cheers, an emissary
of Neptune distributed certificates of bap-
ism. These were formidable parch-
ments with innumsrable seals and rib
bons with the following text:
| We, Neptune, King of the oceans and
ruler of the greatest realm in the world,
including all lakes, rivers, brooks and
swamps, we hereby make it known that
John Smith this day, having crossed the
line of the equator, was baptized by US
| according to all rules and laws, and
herewith publish to all aut horities of
grant him protection in every case to
need.
In the year A. D. 1895 Dec. 5. on
board SIS. Mark
Sworn to by Fl. Wemple, Captain.
Witness my hand and seals.
Seals. } (Slgned.) NEPTU NE.