The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1909-05-08
THE GREAT CODIFICATION.
Short Steps In the Evolution Of the Per
fect yersion OF the Pr0fane Classic,

IcCC y cfBlOu OI tlc fTOIuuc ClWBAiCs
To THE EprroR or THE S-S The dis
cussion In regard to the profanc classic has beer
most Interesting. and II It will lead TO the adoption
OF a proper auth orlEed version. as was suggested
to-day. our native literature viii be the richer
by one rare jewel.
Years ago I used to hear this tale with certain
phrases and expressions that have not appeared
In the versions thus far published by you. Both
the mate and the skipper were named Simmons
and the former. who tells the yarn. In speaking
Of the captain would always say: Captain
Simmons, says 1 his being the same nsme ~
mine. but no klth or kin, thank Cod" &c. The
thank God was always spoken with great
f~ervency. and the fact that the mate was not
sven remotely related to the captain was en-.
phasixed in this manner four or I'VE times. Isn't
this little touch worth preservingt
Mate Simmons also used to lay emphasis on
certain syilabies, As In speaking Of the cigars and
rum he accented strongly the FIRST syllsbles OF
the words Havana and jamaica. Tho word
and was also frequently spoken with great
emphasis, IS well As certain propositions.
BY the way. In this story the boat was named
Mary Jane Hubbard, Nantucket being her home
port. E. s. PRrErH.
To TIE EDITOR or THR SuN-sir: As . good
New Highlander l wish to thank YOU for your care
fl work In correcting the loose versions OF tho
whaling classic. Ash knew Il In 1887 Il ives under
New Bedford auspices. and without naming the
vesse, started a. once: we were forty days out
from New Bedford. and ne'er Q drop OF lie In the
tanks cTAnks." sh ould say. 10 perversionJ
The detail OF your correspondent II. A. r." A.
70 blows and spouts and brooches and belches"
nts In with my recollcctions, as does Mr.. PurrnC.
toms equine comparison Of the size OF Mr.. SIM
mons's tears, Permission for the mate to lower
corresponds with the H. A. F." notes. but We had
besides as to the pursuit: Pretty soon I see him
coming down to us on top OF a great big wave,
and I said, Boys, give me the long harpoon.. for
I was great on the long harpoon."
The nnal conversation was q little moro dc.
tailed. as follows: "'Mr. Simmons, In the starboard
locker In my cabin you'l md q jar Of good TO.
the best Of Old New England rum. Mr.. Slmmona
that tobacco. them seeEyars and that jug Of the
best Old New England rum are yourni'
"'Cap'n Simmons says I. speakin' up real
peArt, I don't give . damn for Your Jar Of FOOD
tobacco. nor your boz OF the finest seecyars. nor
yet your jug Of the best Of Old New England rum,
but what l viii have is civnity. and that Of the
--est cheapest kind tool"
] appreciate the gravity Of entering Into the
discussion Of q topic like this, but my great regard
for the whaling classic leads me to testify 70 the
extent Of my poor knowledge. @. c. W,
BOSTON. May Z.
To THE EDITOR or THE SuS-Sir. beg leave
TO submit q little memorandum Of the narrative
a. heard on the salt shores Of BuEEards BAY
The story was told In the nrst person and was
enlivened by q delectablc salute by the nrst mate,
the twitching OF his forelock. After this dramatic
gesture came the following preface before each
plalntive appeal. "A-beggin' yer pardine, Cap'n
Slmms. SIR sc. !, 's.beerln' yer pArdInr.'~ &c,
The refined, melancholy, unsquelchabIe polite
ness Of this Admirable Cnchton Of nrst mates
WAS emphasized, nay fairly sublimated, Into A
most exquisite dlstllstlon By this initial preface
and salute.
Al the end Of the story-an ending which seems
to be causing more trouble than the tag OF q ereat
American drsma-the mate simply yet vibrantly
remarked. with the tones Of his voice descepdine
In the Sailor Beware" depths; An I wants IL =
little Christian seevnity OF the - -est
commonest kindl"
IL seems absolutely unnecessary to sxp,s,n
sitter this psychological cllnchlns OF the sctlon.
thas the n,ats went forrsrd.
INV YORK, AT EpsrAcs n. BALI.
To TRE EpIroR or n SuN-Str. Far be n
from me to add any more versions 70 your col.
lection OF hybrid dialect sperm whale stones I
don't claim 70 know the exact original. nor do /
believe your polite journal could print It II I did.
Horse apples" lndeedi
But goI hing It. ! Amt ben able Va rest my hun
hcft on . chair. I've ben thet put out senoe sce
your correspondent has the cap'p say. -Tbs
wind Am BLOWN quite too peart." Your GORE.
spondent must be . writer OF nee 70 dialect stones
who has confused hts coiors.
NEW YORK. May I. BURdHs JoHSsoN.
To 1nz EDITION OF TIE suN-sts. have been
surprised that all the Contributor. and above Al
TAn SUI, have missed the real point In the CON
Guiding shot Aired OF BY Mr.. Jones In his rejolnder
to Captain Bunker's Invitation What has ri.
Witty. see.vility or any other Witty to do with
~ Here 10 h:
Il don't want mont Of yer pipes. likewise none
OF yer terbsoker likewise none Of yer rum. AM
sskoi you for the rest Of thiAyer vy'gs 10 ~servilIty.
aud that of the good --ess oommonest Kind.
Captain Bunker"
While In other portions an approach to the story
might be attained BY . boiling down process OF
the various versions that have Appeared In Tn
sun, - sueeestsd By ons Of your oonutbutors.
70 enjoy u unAnoyed h oannos Do rsAd, Il must
be told. ~ II was 70 me 0y that prince Of ~ story
teusp the late Captain Conn Of NAntuoket OF
memory, who gave u 70 Ne one uight
On the tAfran Of the Schooner yacht wsndsrsf
durnr the race for the brenton's RAef cup IN
he 500. J. y. Tan.
Tu1rDo. MAYA .. .Alw