CHAPTERI—THEAMATEUREMIGRANT
THESECONDCABIN
IFIRSTencounteredmyfellow—passengersontheBroomielawinGlasgow。ThencewedescendedtheClydeinnofamiliarspirit，butlookingaskanceoneachotherasonpossibleenemies。AfewScandinavians，whohadalreadygrownacquaintedontheNorthSea，werefriendlyandvolubleovertheirlongpipes；butamongEnglishspeakersdistanceandsuspicionreignedsupreme。Thesunwassoonoverclouded，thewindfreshenedandgrewsharpaswecontinuedtodescendthewideningestuary；andwiththefallingtemperaturethegloomamongthepassengersincreased。Twoofthewomenwept。Anyonewhohadcomeaboardmighthavesupposedwewereallabscondingfromthelaw。Therewasscarceawordinterchanged，andnocommonsentimentbutthatofcoldunitedus，untilatlength，havingtouchedatGreenock，apointingarmandarushtothestarboardnowannouncedthatouroceansteamerwasinsight。Thereshelayinmid—river，attheTailoftheBank，hersea—signalflying：awallofbulwark，astreetofwhitedeck—houses，anaspiringforestofspars，largerthanachurch，andsoontobeaspopulousasmanyanincorporatedtowninthelandtowhichshewastobearus。
Iwasnot，intruth，asteeragepassenger。Althoughanxioustoseetheworstofemigrantlife，Ihadsomeworktofinishonthevoyage，andwasadvisedtogobythesecondcabin，whereatleastIshouldhaveatableatcommand。Theadvicewasexcellent；buttounderstandthechoice，andwhatIgained，someoutlineoftheinternaldispositionoftheshipwillfirstbenecessary。InherverynoseisSteerageNo。1，downtwopairofstairs。Alittleabaft，anothercompanion，labelledSteerageNo。2and3，givesadmissiontothreegalleries，tworunningforwardtowardsSteerageNo。1，andthethirdafttowardstheengines。Thestarboardforwardgalleryisthesecondcabin。Awayabafttheenginesandbelowtheofficers’cabins，tocompleteoursurveyofthevessel，thereisyetathirdnestofsteerages，labelled4and5。Thesecondcabin，toreturn，isthusamodifiedoasisintheveryheartofthesteerages。Throughthethinpartitionyoucanhearthesteeragepassengersbeingsick，therattleoftindishesastheysitatmeals，thevariedaccentsinwhichtheyconverse，thecryingoftheirchildrenterrifiedbythisnewexperience，orthecleanflatsmackoftheparentalhandinchastisement。
Thereare，however，manyadvantagesfortheinhabitantofthisstrip。
Hedoesnotrequiretobringhisownbeddingordishes，butfindsberthsandatablecompletelyifsomewhatroughlyfurnished。Heenjoysadistinctsuperiorityindiet；butthis，strangetosay，differsnotonlyondifferentships，butonthesameshipaccordingasherheadistotheeastorwest。Inmyownexperience，theprincipaldifferencebetweenourtableandthatofthetruesteeragepassengerwasthetableitself，andthecrockeryplatesfromwhichweate。ButlestIshouldshowmyselfungrateful，letmerecapitulateeveryadvantage。Atbreakfastwehadachoicebetweenteaandcoffeeforbeverage；achoicenoteasytomake，thetwoweresosurprisinglyalike。IfoundthatIcouldsleepafterthecoffeeandlayawakeafterthetea，whichisproofconclusiveofsomechemicaldisparity；
andevenbythepalateIcoulddistinguishasmackofsnuffintheformerfromaflavourofboilinganddish—clothsinthesecond。Asamatteroffact，Ihaveseenpassengers，aftermanysips，stilldoubtingwhichhadbeensuppliedthem。Inthewayofeatablesatthesamemealweweregloriouslyfavoured；forinadditiontoporridge，whichwascommontoall，wehadIrishstew，sometimesabitoffish，andsometimesrissoles。Thedinnerofsoup，roastfreshbeef，boiledsaltjunk，andpotatoes，was，Ibelieve，exactlycommontothesteerageandthesecondcabin；onlyIhavehearditrumouredthatourpotatoeswereofasuperiorbrand；andtwiceaweek，onpudding—days，insteadofduff，wehadasaddle—bagfilledwithcurrantsunderthenameofaplum—pudding。Atteawewereservedwithsomebrokenmeatfromthesaloon；sometimesinthecomparativelyelegantformofsparepattiesorrissoles；butasageneralthingmerechicken—bonesandflakesoffish，neitherhotnorcold。Ifthesewerenotthescrapingsofplatestheirlooksbeliedthemsorely；yetwewerealltoohungrytobeproud，andfelltotheseleavingsgreedily。These，thebread，whichwasexcellent，andthesoupandporridgewhichwerebothgood，formedmywholedietthroughoutthevoyage；sothatexceptforthebrokenmeatandtheconvenienceofatableImightaswellhavebeeninthesteerageoutright。Hadtheygivenmeporridgeagainintheevening，Ishouldhavebeenperfectlycontentedwiththefare。
Asitwas，withafewbiscuitsandsomewhiskyandwaterbeforeturningin，Ikeptmybodygoingandmyspiritsuptothemark。
Thelastparticularinwhichthesecondcabinpassengerremarkablystandsaheadofhisbrotherofthesteerageisonealtogetherofsentiment。Inthesteeragetherearemalesandfemales；inthesecondcabinladiesandgentlemen。ForsometimeafterIcameaboardIthoughtIwasonlyamale；butinthecourseofavoyageofdiscoverybetweendecks，Icameonabrassplate，andlearnedthatI
wasstillagentleman。Nobodyknewit，ofcourse。Iwaslostinthecrowdofmalesandfemales，andrigorouslyconfinedtothesamequarterofthedeck。WhocouldtellwhetherIhousedontheportorstarboardsideofsteerageNo。2and3？Anditwasonlytherethatmysuperioritybecamepractical；everywhereelseIwasincognito，movingamongmyinferiorswithsimplicity，notsomuchasaswaggertoindicatethatIwasagentlemanafterall，andhadbrokenmeattotea。Still，Iwaslikeonewithapatentofnobilityinadrawerathome；andwhenIfeltoutofspiritsIcouldgodownandrefreshmyselfwithalookofthatbrassplate。
ForalltheseadvantagesIpaidbuttwoguineas。Sixguineasisthesteeragefare；eightthatbythesecondcabin；andwhenyourememberthatthesteeragepassengermustsupplybeddinganddishes，and，infivecasesoutoften，eitherbringssomedaintieswithhim，orprivatelypaysthestewardforextrarations，thedifferenceinpricebecomesalmostnominal。Aircomparativelyfittobreathe，foodcomparativelyvaried，andthesatisfactionofbeingstillprivatelyagentleman，maythusbehadalmostfortheasking。Twoofmyfellow—
passengersinthesecondcabinhadalreadymadethepassagebythecheaperfare，anddeclareditwasanexperimentnottoberepeated。
AsIgoontotellaboutmysteeragefriends，thereaderwillperceivethattheywerenotaloneintheiropinion。OutoftenwithwhomIwasmoreorlessintimate，Iamsurenotfewerthanfivevowed，iftheyreturned，totravelsecondcabin；andallwhohadlefttheirwivesbehindthemassuredmetheywouldgowithoutthecomfortoftheirpresenceuntiltheycouldaffordtobringthembysaloon。
Ourpartyinthesecondcabinwasnotperhapsthemostinterestingonboard。Perhapseveninthesaloontherewasasmuchgood—willandcharacter。Yetithadsomeelementsofcuriosity。TherewasamixedgroupofSwedes，Danes，andNorsemen，oneofwhom，generallyknownbythenameof’Johnny，’inspiteofhisownprotests，greatlydivertedusbyhisclever，cross—countryeffortstospeakEnglish，andbecameonthestrengthofthatanuniversalfavourite—ittakessolittleinthisworldofshipboardtocreateapopularity。Therewas，besides，aScotsmason，knownfromhisfavouritedishas’IrishStew，’threeorfournondescriptScots，afineyoungIrishman，O’Reilly，andapairofyoungmenwhodeserveaspecialwordofcondemnation。OneofthemwasScots；theotherclaimedtobeAmerican；admitted，aftersomefencing，thathewasborninEngland；
andultimatelyprovedtobeanIrishmanbornandnurtured，butashamedtoownhiscountry。Hehadasisteronboard，whomhefaithfullyneglectedthroughoutthevoyage，thoughshewasnotonlysick，butmuchhissenior，andhadnursedandcaredforhiminchildhood。InappearancehewaslikeanimbecileHenrytheThirdofFrance。TheScotsman，thoughperhapsasbiganass，wasnotsodeadofheart；andIhaveonlybracketedthemtogetherbecausetheywerefastfriends，anddisgracedthemselvesequallybytheirconductatthetable。
Next，toturntotopicsmoreagreeable，wehadanewly—marriedcouple，devotedtoeachother，withapleasantstoryofhowtheyhadfirstseeneachotheryearsagoatapreparatoryschool，andthatveryafternoonhehadcarriedherbookshomeforher。Idonotknowifthisstorywillbeplaintosouthernreaders；buttomeitrecallsmanyaschoolidyll，withwrathfulswainsofeightandnineconfrontingeachotherstride—legs，flushedwithjealousy；fortocarryhomeayounglady’sbookswasbothadelicateattentionandaprivilege。
Thentherewasanoldlady，orindeedIamnotsurethatshewasasmucholdasantiquatedandstrangelyoutofplace，whohadleftherhusband，andwastravellingallthewaytoKansasbyherself。Wehadtotakeherownwordthatshewasmarried；foritwassorelycontradictedbythetestimonyofherappearance。Natureseemedtohavesanctifiedherforthesinglestate；eventhecolourofherhairwasincompatiblewithmatrimony，andherhusband，Ithought，shouldbeamanofsaintlyspiritandphantasmalbodilypresence。Shewasill，poorthing；hersoulturnedfromtheviands；thedirtytableclothshockedherlikeanimpropriety；andthewholestrengthofherendeavourwasbentuponkeepingherwatchtruetoGlasgowtimetillsheshouldreachNewYork。Theyhadheardreports，herhusbandandshe，ofsomeunwarrantabledisparityofhoursbetweenthesetwocities；andwithaspiritcommendablyscientific，hadseizedonthisoccasiontoputthemtotheproof。Itwasagoodthingfortheoldlady；forshepassedmuchleisuretimeinstudyingthewatch。Once，whenprostratedbysickness，sheletitrundown。Itwasinscribedonherharmlessmindinlettersofadamantthatthehandsofawatchmustneverbeturnedbackwards；andsoitbehovedhertolieinwaitfortheexactmomentereshestarteditagain。Whensheimaginedthiswasaboutdue，shesoughtoutoneoftheyoungsecond—cabinScotsmen，whowasembarkedonthesameexperimentasherselfandhadhithertobeenlessneglectful。Shewasinquestoftwoo’clock；andwhenshelearneditwasalreadysevenontheshoresofClyde，shelifteduphervoiceandcried’Gravy！’IhadnotheardthisinnocentexpletivesinceIwasayoungchild；andIsupposeitmusthavebeenthesamewiththeotherScotsmenpresent，forwealllaughedourfill。
Lastbutnotleast，IcometomyexcellentfriendMr。Jones。ItwouldbedifficulttosaywhetherIwashisright—handman，orhemine，duringthevoyage。ThusattableIcarved，whileheonlyscoopedgravy；butatourconcerts，ofwhichmoreanon，hewasthepresidentwhocalledupperformerstosing，andIbuthismessengerwhoranhiserrandsandpleadedprivatelywiththeover—modest。I
knewIlikedMr。JonesfromthemomentIsawhim。IthoughthimbyhisfacetobeScottish；norcouldhisaccentundeceiveme。ForasthereisaLINGUAFRANCAofmanytonguesonthemolesandinthefeluccasoftheMediterranean，sothereisafreeorcommonaccentamongEnglish—speakingmenwhofollowthesea。TheycatchatwanginaNewEnglandPort；fromacockneyskipper，evenaScotsmansometimeslearnstodropanH；awordofadialectispickedupfromanotherbandintheforecastle；untiloftentheresultisundecipherable，andyouhavetoaskfortheman’splaceofbirth。SoitwaswithMr。
Jones。IthoughthimaScotsmanwhohadbeenlongtosea；andyethewasfromWales，andhadbeenmostofhislifeablacksmithataninlandforge；afewyearsinAmericaandhalfascoreofoceanvoyageshavingsufficedtomodifyhisspeechintothecommonpattern。
Byhisownaccounthewasbothstrongandskilfulinhistrade。A
fewyearsback，hehadbeenmarriedandafterafashionarichman；
nowthewifewasdeadandthemoneygone。Buthiswasthenaturethatlooksforward，andgoesonfromoneyeartoanotherandthroughalltheextremitiesoffortuneundismayed；andiftheskyweretofallto—morrow，IshouldlooktoseeJones，thedayfollowing，perchedonastep—ladderandgettingthingstorights。Hewasalwayshoveringroundinventionslikeabeeoveraflower，andlivedinadreamofpatents。Hehadwithhimapatentmedicine，forinstance，thecompositionofwhichhehadboughtyearsagoforfivedollarsfromanAmericanpedlar，andsoldtheotherdayforahundredpounds（Ithinkitwas）toanEnglishapothecary。ItwascalledGoldenOil，curedallmaladieswithoutexception；andIamboundtosaythatI
partookofitmyselfwithgoodresults。ItisacharacterofthemanthathewasnotonlyperpetuallydosinghimselfwithGoldenOil，butwherevertherewasaheadachingorafingercut，therewouldbeJoneswithhisbottle。
Ifhehadonetastemorestronglythananother，itwastostudycharacter。Manyanhourhavewetwowalkeduponthedeckdissectingourneighboursinaspiritthatwastoopurelyscientifictobecalledunkind；wheneveraquaintorhumantraitslippedoutinconversation，youmighthaveseenJonesandmeexchangingglances；
andwecouldhardlygotobedincomforttillwehadexchangednotesanddiscussedtheday’sexperience。Wewerethenlikeacoupleofanglerscomparingaday’skill。Butthefishweangledforwereofametaphysicalspecies，andweangledasoftenasnotinoneanother’sbaskets。Once，inthemidstofaserioustalk，eachfoundtherewasascrutinisingeyeuponhimself；IownIpausedinembarrassmentatthisdoubledetection；butJones，withabettercivility，brokeintoapealofunaffectedlaughter，anddeclared，whatwasthetruth，thattherewasapairofusindeed。
EARLYIMPRESSIONS
WesteamedoutoftheClydeonThursdaynight，andearlyontheFridayforenoonwetookinourlastbatchofemigrantsatLoughFoyle，inIreland，andsaidfarewelltoEurope。Thecompanywasnowcomplete，andbegantodrawtogether，byinscrutablemagnetisms，uponthedecks。TherewereScotsandIrishinplenty，afewEnglish，afewAmericans，agoodhandfulofScandinavians，aGermanortwo，andoneRussian；allnowbelongingfortendaystoonesmallironcountryonthedeep。
AsIwalkedthedeckandlookedrounduponmyfellow—passengers，thuscuriouslyassortedfromallnorthernEurope，Ibeganforthefirsttimetounderstandthenatureofemigration。Daybydaythroughoutthepassage，andthenceforwardacrossalltheStates，andontotheshoresofthePacific，thisknowledgegrewmoreclearandmelancholy。
Emigration，fromawordofthemostcheerfulimport，cametosoundmostdismallyinmyear。Thereisnothingmoreagreeabletopictureandnothingmorepathetictobehold。Theabstractidea，asconceivedathome，ishopefulandadventurous。Ayoungman，youfancy，scorningrestraintsandhelpers，issuesforthintolife，thatgreatbattle，tofightforhisownhand。Themostpleasantstoriesofambition，ofdifficultiesovercome，andofultimatesuccess，arebutasepisodestothisgreatepicofself—help。Theepiciscomposedofindividualheroisms；itstandstothemasthevictoriouswarwhichsubduedanempirestandstothepersonalactofbraverywhichspikedasinglecannonandwasadequatelyrewardedwithamedal。Forinemigrationtheyoungmenenterdirectandbytheshiploadontheirheritageofwork；emptycontinentsswarm，asatthebo’s’un’swhistle，withindustrioushands，andwholenewempiresaredomesticatedtotheserviceofman。
Thisistheclosetpicture，andisfound，ontrial，toconsistmostlyofembellishments。ThemoreIsawofmyfellow—passengers，thelessIwastemptedtothelyricnote。Comparativelyfewofthemenwerebelowthirty；manyweremarried，andencumberedwithfamilies；notafewwerealreadyupinyears；andthisitselfwasoutoftunewithmyimaginations，fortheidealemigrantshouldcertainlybeyoung。
Again，Ithoughtheshouldoffertotheeyesomeboldtypeofhumanity，withblufforhawk—likefeatures，andthestampofaneagerandpushingdisposition。Nowthosearoundmewereforthemostpartquiet，orderly，obedientcitizens，familymenbrokenbyadversity，elderlyyouthswhohadfailedtoplacethemselvesinlife，andpeoplewhohadseenbetterdays。Mildnesswastheprevailingcharacter；
mildmirthandmildendurance。Inaword，Iwasnottakingpartinanimpetuousandconqueringsally，suchassweptoverMexicoorSiberia，butfoundmyself，likeMarmion，’inthelostbattle，bornedownbytheflying。’
Labouringmankindhadinthelastyears，andthroughoutGreatBritain，sustainedaprolongedandcrushingseriesofdefeats。Ihadheardvaguelyofthesereverses；ofwholestreetsofhousesstandingdesertedbytheTyne，thecellar—doorsbrokenandremovedforfirewood；ofhomelessmenloiteringatthestreet—cornersofGlasgowwiththeirchestsbesidethem；ofclosedfactories，uselessstrikes，andstarvinggirls。ButIhadnevertakenthemhometomeorrepresentedthesedistresseslivinglytomyimagination。
AturnofthemarketmaybeacalamityasdisastrousastheFrenchretreatfromMoscow；butithardlylendsitselftolivelytreatment，andmakesatriflingfigureinthemorningpapers。Wemaystruggleasweplease，wearenotborneconomists。Theindividualismoreaffectingthanthemass。Itisbythescenicaccidents，andtheappealtothecarnaleye，thatforthemostpartwegraspthesignificanceoftragedies。Thusitwasonlynow，whenIfoundmyselfinvolvedintherout，thatIbegantoappreciatehowsharphadbeenthebattle。Wewereacompanyoftherejected；thedrunken，theincompetent，theweak，theprodigal，allwhohadbeenunabletoprevailagainstcircumstancesintheoneland，werenowfleeingpitifullytoanother；andthoughoneortwomightstillsucceed，allhadalreadyfailed。Wewereashipfuloffailures，thebrokenmenofEngland。Yetitmustnotbesupposedthatthesepeopleexhibiteddepression。Thescene，onthecontrary，wascheerful。Notatearwasshedonboardthevessel。Allwerefullofhopeforthefuture，andshowedaninclinationtoinnocentgaiety。Somewereheardtosing，andallbegantoscrapeacquaintancewithsmalljestsandreadylaughter。
Thechildrenfoundeachotheroutlikedogs，andranaboutthedecksscrapingacquaintanceaftertheirfashionalso。’Whatdoyoucallyourmither？’Iheardoneask。’Mawmaw，’wasthereply，indicating，Ifancy，ashadeofdifferenceinthesocialscale。Whenpeoplepasseachotheronthehighseasoflifeatsoearlyanage，thecontactisbutslight，andtherelationmorelikewhatwemayimaginetobethefriendshipoffliesthanthatofmen；itissoquicklyjoined，soeasilydissolved，soopeninitscommunicationsandsodevoidofdeeperhumanqualities。Thechildren，Iobserved，wereallinaband，andasthickasthievesatafair，whiletheirelderswerestillceremoniouslymanoeuvringontheoutskirtsofacquaintance。
Thesea，theship，andtheseamenweresoonasfamiliarashometothesehalf—consciouslittleones。Itwasoddtohearthem，throughoutthevoyage，employshorewordstodesignateportionsofthevessel。’Go’waydoontoyondyke，’Iheardonesay，probablymeaningthebulwark。Ioftenhadmyheartinmymouth，watchingthemclimbintotheshroudsorontherails，whiletheshipwentswingingthroughthewaves；andIadmiredandenviedthecourageoftheirmothers，whosatbyinthesunandlookedonwithcomposureattheseperilousfeats。’He’llmaybebeasailor，’Iheardoneremark；
’now’sthetimetolearn。’Ihadbeenonthepointofrunningforwardtointerfere，butstoodbackatthat，reproved。Veryfewinthemoredelicateclasseshavethenervetolookupontheperilofonedeartothem；butthelifeofpoorerfolk，wherenecessityissomuchmoreimmediateandimperious，bracesevenamothertothisextremeofendurance。Andperhaps，afterall，itisbetterthattheladshouldbreakhisneckthanthatyoushouldbreakhisspirit。
AndsinceIamhereonthechapterofthechildren，Imustmentiononelittlefellow，whosefamilybelongedtoSteerageNo。4and5，andwho，whereverhewent，waslikeastrainofmusicroundtheship。Hewasanugly，merry，unbreechedchildofthree，hislint—whitehairinatangle，hisfacesmearedwithsuetandtreacle；butherantoandfrowithsonaturalastep，andfellandpickedhimselfupagainwithsuchgraceandgood—humour，thathemightfairlybecalledbeautifulwhenhewasinmotion。Tomeethim，crowingwithlaughterandbeatinganaccompanimenttohisownmirthwithatinspoonuponatincup，wastomeetalittletriumphofthehumanspecies。Evenwhenhismotherandtherestofhisfamilylaysickandprostratearoundhim，hesatuprightintheirmidstandsangaloudinthepleasantheartlessnessofinfancy。
ThroughouttheFriday，intimacyamongusmenmadebutafewadvances。
Wediscussedtheprobabledurationofthevoyage，weexchangedpiecesofinformation，namingourtrades，whatwehopedtofindinthenewworld，orwhatwewerefleeingfromintheold；and，aboveall，wecondoledtogetheroverthefoodandthevilenessofthesteerage。
Oneortwohadbeensonearfaminethatyoumaysaytheyhadrunintotheshipwiththedevilattheirheels；andtotheseallseemedforthebestinthebestofpossiblesteamers。Butthemajoritywerehugelycontented。ComingastheydidfromacountryinsolowastateasGreatBritain，manyofthemfromGlasgow，whichcommerciallyspeakingwasasgoodasdead，andmanyhavinglongbeenoutofwork，Iwassurprisedtofindthemsodaintyintheirnotions。Imyselflivedalmostexclusivelyonbread，porridge，andsoup，preciselyasitwassuppliedtothem，andfoundit，ifnotluxurious，atleastsufficient。Buttheseworkingmenwereloudintheiroutcries。Itwasnot’foodforhumanbeings，’itwas’onlyfitforpigs，’itwas’adisgrace。’Manyofthemlivedalmostentirelyuponbiscuit，othersontheirownprivatesupplies，andsomepaidextraforbetterrationsfromtheship。Thismarvellouslychangedmynotionofthedegreeofluxuryhabitualtotheartisan。Iwaspreparedtohearhimgrumble，forgrumblingisthetraveller’spastime；butIwasnotpreparedtofindhimturnawayfromadietwhichwaspalatabletomyself。WordsIshouldhavedisregarded，ortakenwithaliberalallowance；butwhenamanprefersdrybiscuittherecanbenoquestionofthesincerityofhisdisgust。
WithoneoftheircomplaintsIcouldmostheartilysympathise。A
singlenightofthesteeragehadfilledthemwithhorror。Ihadmyselfsuffered，eveninmydecent—second—cabinberth，fromthelackofair；andasthenightpromisedtobefineandquiet，Ideterminedtosleepondeck，andadvisedallwhocomplainedoftheirquarterstofollowmyexample。Idaresayadozenofothersagreedtodoso，andIthoughtweshouldhavebeenquiteaparty。Yet，whenIbroughtupmyrugaboutsevenbells，therewasnoonetobeseenbutthewatch。
Thatchimericalterrorofgoodnight—air，whichmakesmenclosetheirwindows，listtheirdoors，andsealthemselvesupwiththeirownpoisonousexhalations，hadsentallthesehealthyworkmendownbelow。
Onewouldthinkwehadbeenbroughtupinafevercountry；yetinEnglandthemostmalariousdistrictsareinthebedchambers。
Ifeltsaddenedatthisdefection，andyethalf—pleasedtohavethenightsoquietlytomyself。Thewindhadhauledalittleaheadonthestarboardbow，andwasdrybutchilly。Ifoundashelternearthefire—hole，andmademyselfsnugforthenight。
Theshipmovedovertheunevenseawithagentleandcradlingmovement。Theponderous，organiclaboursoftheengineinherbowelsoccupiedthemind，andprepareditforslumber。FromtimetotimeaheavierlurchwoulddisturbmeasIlay，andrecallmetotheobscurebordersofconsciousness；orIheard，asitwerethroughaveil，theclearnoteoftheclapperonthebrassandthebeautifulsea—cry，’All’swell！’Iknownothing，whetherforpoetryormusic，thatcansurpasstheeffectofthesetwosyllablesinthedarknessofanightatsea。
Thedaydawnedfairlyenough，andduringtheearlypartwehadsomepleasanthourstoimproveacquaintanceintheopenair；buttowardsnightfallthewindfreshened，therainbegantofall，andthesearosesohighthatitwasdifficulttokeeponesfootingonthedeck。
Ihavespokenofourconcerts。Wewereindeedamusicalship’scompany，andcheeredourwayintoexilewiththefiddle，theaccordion，andthesongsofallnations。Good，bad，orindifferent—
Scottish，English，Irish，Russian，GermanorNorse，—thesongswerereceivedwithgenerousapplause。Onceortwice，arecitation，veryspiritedlyrenderedinapowerfulScottishaccent，variedtheproceedings；andoncewesoughtinvaintodanceaquadrille，eightmenofustogether，tothemusicoftheviolin。Theperformerswereallhumorous，friskyfellows，wholovedtocutcapersinprivatelife；butassoonastheywerearrangedforthedance，theyconductedthemselveslikesomanymutesatafuneral。Ihaveneverseendecorumpushedsofar；andasthiswasnotexpected，thequadrillewassoonwhistleddown，andthedancersdepartedunderacloud。
EightFrenchmen，eveneightEnglishmenfromanotherrankofsociety，wouldhavedaredtomakesomefunforthemselvesandthespectators；
buttheworkingman，whensober，takesanextremeandevenmelancholyviewofpersonaldeportment。Afifth—formschoolboyisnotmorecarefulofdignity。Hedaresnotbecomical；hisfunmustescapefromhimunprepared，andaboveall，itmustbeunaccompaniedbyanyphysicaldemonstration。Ilikehissocietyundermostcircumstances，butletmeneveragainjoinwithhiminpublicgambols。
Buttheimpulsetosingwasstrong，andtriumphedovermodestyandeventheinclemenciesofseaandsky。OnthisroughSaturdaynight，wegottogetherbythemaindeck—house，inaplaceshelteredfromthewindandrain。Someclingingtoaladderwhichledtothehurricanedeck，andtherestknittingarmsortakinghands，wemadearingtosupportthewomenintheviolentlurchingoftheship；andwhenwewerethusdisposed，sangtoourhearts’content。Someofthesongswereappropriatetothescene；othersstrikinglythereverse。
Bastarddoggrelofthemusic—hall，suchas，’Aroundhersplendidform，Iweavedthemagiccircle，’soundedbald，bleak，andpitifullysilly。’Wedon’twanttofight，but，byJingo，ifwedo，’wasinsomemeasuresavedbythevigourandunanimitywithwhichthechoruswasthrownforthintothenight。IobservedaPlatt—Deutschmason，entirelyinnocentofEnglish，addingheartilytothegeneraleffect。
AndperhapstheGermanmasonisbutafairexampleofthesinceritywithwhichthesongwasrendered；fornearlyallwithwhomI
converseduponthesubjectwerebitterlyopposedtowar，andattributedtheirownmisfortunes，andfrequentlytheirowntasteforwhisky，tothecampaignsinZululandandAfghanistan。
Everynowandagain，however，somesongthattouchedthepathosofoursituationwasgivenforth；andyoucouldhearbythevoicesthattookuptheburdenhowthesentimentcamehometoeach，’TheAnchor’sWeighed’wastrueforus。Wewereindeed’Rockedonthebosomofthestormydeep。’Howmanyofuscouldsaywiththesinger，’I’mlonelyto—night，love，withoutyou，’or，’Go，someone，andtellthemfromme，towritemealetterfromhome’！Andwhenwasthereamoreappropriatemomentfor’AuldLangSyne’thannow，whentheland，thefriends，andtheaffectionsofthatmingledbutbelovedtimewerefadingandfleeingbehindusinthevessel’swake？Itpointedforwardtothehourwhentheselaboursshouldbeoverpast，tothereturnvoyage，andtomanyameetinginthesandedinn，whenthosewhohadpartedinthespringofyouthshouldagaindrinkacupofkindnessintheirage。HadnotBurnscontemplatedemigration，I
scarcebelievehewouldhavefoundthatnote。
AllSundaytheweatherremainedwildandcloudy；manywereprostratedbysickness；onlyfivesatdowntoteainthesecondcabin，andtwoofthesedepartedabruptlyerethemealwasatanend。TheSabbathwasobservedstrictlybythemajorityoftheemigrants。Iheardanoldwomanexpresshersurprisethat’theshipdidnagaedoon，’asshesawsomeonepassherwithachess—boardontheholyday。SomesangScottishpsalms。Manywenttoservice，andintrueScottishfashioncamebackillpleasedwiththeirdivine。’Ididnathinkhewasanexperiencedpreacher，’saidonegirltome。
Iswasableak，uncomfortableday；butatnight，bysixbells，althoughthewindhadnotyetmoderated，thecloudswereallwreckedandblownawaybehindtherimofthehorizon，andthestarscameoutthicklyoverhead。IsawVenusburningassteadilyandsweetlyacrossthishurly—burlyofthewindsandwatersaseverathomeuponthesummerwoods。Theenginepounded，thescrewtossedoutofthewaterwitharoar，andshooktheshipfromendtoend；thebowsbattledwithloudreportsagainstthebillows：andasIstoodinthelee—
scuppersandlookeduptowherethefunnelleanedout，overmyhead，vomitingsmoke，andtheblackandmonstroustop—sailsblotted，ateachlurch，adifferentcropofstars，itseemedasifallthistroublewereathingofsmallaccount，andthatjustabovethemastreignedpeaceunbrokenandeternal。
STEERAGESCENES
Ourcompanion（SteerageNo。2and3）wasafavouriteresort。Downoneflightofstairstherewasacomparativelylargeopenspace，thecentreoccupiedbyahatchway，whichmadeaconvenientseatforabouttwentypersons，whilebarrels，coilsofrope，andthecarpenter’sbenchaffordedperchesforperhapsasmanymore。Thecanteen，orsteeragebar，wasononesideofthestair；ontheother，anolessattractivespot，thecabinoftheindefatigableinterpreter。
Ihaveseenpeoplepackedintothisspacelikeherringsinabarrel，andmanymerryeveningsprolongedthereuntilfivebells，whenthelightswereruthlesslyextinguishedandallmustgotoroost。
IthadbeenrumouredsinceFridaythattherewasafiddleraboard，wholaysickandunmelodiousinSteerageNo。1；andontheMondayforenoon，asIcamedownthecompanion，IwassalutedbysomethinginStrathspeytime。Awhite—facedOrpheuswascheerilyplayingtoanaudienceofwhite—facedwomen。Itwasasmuchashecoulddotoplay，andsomeofhishearerswerescarceabletosit；yettheyhadcrawledfromtheirbunksatthefirstexperimentalflourish，andfoundbetterthanmedicineinthemusic。Someoftheheaviestheadsbegantonodintime，andadegreeofanimationlookedfromsomeofthepalesteyes。Humanlyspeaking，itisamoreimportantmattertoplaythefiddle，evenbadly，thantowritehugeworksuponreconditesubjects。WhatcouldMr。Darwinhavedoneforthesesickwomen？Butthisfellowscrapedaway；andtheworldwaspositivelyabetterplaceforallwhoheardhim。Wehaveyettounderstandtheeconomicalvalueofthesemereaccomplishments。Itoldthefiddlerhewasahappyman，carryinghappinessaboutwithhiminhisfiddle—case，andheseemedalivetothefact。
’Itisaprivilege，’Isaid。Hethoughtawhileupontheword，turningitoverinhisScotshead，andthenansweredwithconviction，’Yes，aprivilege。’
ThatnightIwassummonedby’MerrilydancedtheQuake’swife’intothecompanionofSteerageNo。4and5。Thiswas，properlyspeaking，butastripacrossadeck—house，litbyasicklylanternwhichswungtoandfrowiththemotionoftheship。Throughtheopenslide—doorwehadaglimpseofagreynightsea，withpatchesofphosphorescentfoamflying，swiftasbirds，intothewake，andthehorizonrisingandfallingasthevesselrolledtothewind。Inthecentrethecompanionladderplungeddownsheerlylikeanopenpit。Below，onthefirstlanding，andlightedbyanotherlamp，ladsandlassesdanced，notmorethanthreeatatimeforlackofspace，injigsandreelsandhornpipes。Above，oneitherside，therewasarecessrailedwithiron，perhapstwofeetwideandfourlong，whichstoodfororchestraandseatsofhonour。Intheonebalcony，fiveslatternlyIrishlassessatwoveninacomelygroup。IntheotherwaspostedOrpheus，hisbody，whichwasconvulsivelyinmotion，forminganoddcontrasttohissomnolent，imperturbableScotsface。
Hisbrother，adarkmanwithavehement，interestedcountenance，whomadeagodofthefiddler，satbywithopenmouth，drinkinginthegeneraladmirationandthrowingoutremarkstokindleit。
’That’sabonnyhornpipenow，’hewouldsay，’it’sagreatfavouritewithperformers；theydancethesanddancetoit。’Andheexpoundedthesanddance。Thensuddenly，itwouldbealong，’Hush！’withupliftedfingerandglowing，supplicatingeyes，’he’sgoingtoplay\"AuldRobinGray\"ononestring！’Andthroughoutthisexcruciatingmovement，—’Ononestring，that’sononestring！’hekeptcrying。I
wouldhavegivensomethingmyselfthatithadbeenonnone；butthehearersweremuchawed。Icalledforatuneortwo，andthusintroducedmyselftothenoticeofthebrother，whodirectedhistalktomeforsomelittlewhile，keeping，Ineedhardlymention，truetohistopic，liketheseamentothestar。’He’sgrandofit，’hesaidconfidentially。’Hismasterwasamusic—hallman。’Indeedthemusic—hallmanhadlefthismark，forourfiddlerwasignorantofmanyofourbestoldairs；’Logieo’Buchan，’forinstance，heonlyknewasaquick，jiggingfigureinasetofquadrilles，andhadneverhearditcalledbyname。Perhaps，afterall，thebrotherwasthemoreinterestingperformerofthetwo。Ihavespokenwithhimafterwardsrepeatedly，andfoundhimalwaysthesamequick，fierybitofaman，notwithoutbrains；buthenevershowedtosuchadvantageaswhenhewasthussquiringthefiddlerintopublicnote。Thereisnothingmorebecomingthanagenuineadmiration；anditsharesthiswithlove，thatitdoesnotbecomecontemptiblealthoughmisplaced。
Thedancingwasbutfeeblycarriedon。Thespacewasalmostimpracticablysmall；andtheIrishwenchescombinedtheextremeofbashfulnessaboutthisinnocentdisplaywithasurprisingimpudenceandroughnessofaddress。Mostoften，eitherthefiddleliftedupitsvoiceunheeded，oronlyacoupleofladswouldbefootingitandsnappingfingersonthelanding。Andsuchwastheeagernessofthebrothertodisplayalltheacquirementsofhisidol，andsuchthesleepyindifferenceoftheperformer，thatthetunewouldasoftenasnotbechanged，andthehornpipeexpireintoaballadbeforethedancershadcuthalfadozenshuffles。
Inthemeantime，however，theaudiencehadbeengrowingmoreandmorenumerouseverymoment；therewashardlystanding—roomroundthetopofthecompanion；andthestrangeinstinctoftheracemovedsomeofthenewcomerstocloseboththedoors，sothattheatmospheregrewinsupportable。Itwasagoodplace，asthesayingis，toleave。
Thewindhauledaheadwithaheadsea。Bytenatnightheavysprayswereflyinganddrummingovertheforecastle；thecompanionofSteerageNo。1hadtobeclosed，andthedoorofcommunicationthroughthesecondcabinthrownopen。Eitherfromtheconvenienceoftheopportunity，orbecausewehadalreadyanumberofacquaintancesinthatpartoftheship，Mr。JonesandIpaiditalatevisit。
SteerageNo。1isshapedlikeanisoscelestriangle，thesidesoppositetheequalanglesbulgingoutwardwiththecontouroftheship。Itislinedwitheightpensofsixteenbunksapiece，fourbunksbelowandfouraboveoneitherside。Atnighttheplaceislitwithtwolanterns，onetoeachtable。Asthesteamerbeatonherwayamongtheroughbillows，thelightpassedthroughviolentphasesofchange，andwasthrowntoandfroandupanddownwithstartlingswiftness。Youweretemptedtowonder，asyoulooked，howsothinaglimmercouldcontrolanddispersesuchsolidblackness。WhenJonesandIenteredwefoundalittlecompanyofouracquaintancesseatedtogetheratthetriangularforemosttable。Amoreforlornparty，inmoredismalcircumstances，itwouldbehardtoimagine。Themotionhereintheship’snosewasveryviolent；theuproaroftheseaoftenoverpoweringlyloud。Theyellowflickerofthelanternspunroundandroundandtossedtheshadowsinmasses。Theairwashot，butitstruckachillfromitsfoetor。
Fromallroundinthedarkbunks，thescarcelyhumannoisesofthesickjoinedintoakindoffarmyardchorus。Inthemidst，thesefivefriendsofminewerekeepingupwhathearttheycouldincompany。
Singingwastheirrefugefromdiscomfortablethoughtsandsensations。
Onepiped，infeebletones，’OhwhyleftImyhame？’whichseemedapertinentquestioninthecircumstances。Another，fromtheinvisiblehorrorsofapenwherehelaydog—sickupontheupper—shelf，foundcourage，inablinkofhissufferings，togiveusseveralversesofthe’DeathofNelson’；anditwasoddandeerietohearthechorusbreathefeeblyfromallsortsofdarkcorners，and’thisdayhasdonehisdooty’riseandfallandbetakenupagaininthisdiminferno，toanaccompanimentofplunging，hollow—soundingbowsandtherattlingspray—showersoverhead。
Allseemedunfitforconversation；acertaindizzinesshadinterruptedtheactivityoftheirminds；andexcepttosingtheyweretongue—tied。Therewaspresent，however，onetall，powerfulfellowofdoubtfulnationality，beingneitherquiteScotsmannoraltogetherIrish，butofsurprisingclearnessofconvictiononthehighestproblems。HehadgonenearlybesidehimselfontheSunday，becauseofageneralbackwardnesstoindorsehisdefinitionofmindas’aliving，thinkingsubstancewhichcannotbefelt，heard，orseen’—
nor，Ipresume，althoughhefailedtomentionit，smelt。Nowhecameforwardinapausewithanothercontributiontoourculture。
’Justbywayofchange，’saidhe，’I’llaskyouaScriptureriddle。
There’sprofitinthemtoo，’headdedungrammatically。
Thiswastheriddle—
CandP
DidagreeTocutdownC；
ButCandP
CouldnotagreeWithouttheleaveofG；
AllthepeoplecriedtoseeThecrueltieOfCandP。
HarsharethewordsofMercuryafterthesongsofApollo！Wewerealongwhileovertheproblem，shakingourheadsandgloomilywonderinghowamancouldbesuchafool；butatlengthheputusoutofsuspenseanddivulgedthefactthatCandPstoodforCaiaphasandPontiusPilate。
Ithinkitmusthavebeentheriddlethatsettledus；butthemotionandthecloseairlikewisehurriedourdeparture。Wehadnotbeengonelong，weheardnextmorning，eretwooreventhreeoutofthefivefellsick。Wethoughtitlittlewonderonthewhole，fortheseakeptcontraryallnight。Inowmademybeduponthesecondcabinfloor，where，althoughIrantheriskofbeingsteppedupon，Ihadafreecurrentofair，moreorlessvitiatedindeed，andrunningonlyfromsteeragetosteerage，butatleastnotstagnant；andfromthiscouch，aswellastheusualsoundsofaroughnightatsea，thehatefulcoughingandretchingofthesickandthesobsofchildren，I
heardamanrunwildwithterrorbeseechinghisfriendforencouragement。’Theship’sgoingdown！’hecriedwithathrillofagony。’Theship’sgoingdown！’herepeated，nowinablankwhisper，nowwithhisvoicerisingtowardsasob；andhisfriendmightreassurehim，reasonwithhim，jokeathim—allwasinvain，andtheoldcrycameback，’Theship’sgoingdown！’Therewassomethingpanickyandcatchingintheemotionofhistones；andIsawinaclearflashwhataninvolvedandhideoustragedywasadisastertoanemigrantship。Ifthiswholeparishfulofpeoplecamenomoretoland，intohowmanyhouseswouldthenewspapercarrywoe，andwhatagreatpartofthewebofourcorporatehumanlifewouldberentacrossforever！
ThenextmorningwhenIcameondeckIfoundanewworldindeed。Thewindwasfair；thesunmountedintoacloudlessheaven；throughgreatdarkblueseastheshipcutaswathofcurdedfoam。Thehorizonwasdottedalldaywithcompanionablesails，andthesunshonepleasantlyonthelong，heavingdeck。
Wehadmanyfine—weatherdiversionstobeguilethetime。Therewasasinglechess—boardandasinglepackofcards。Sometimesasmanyastwentyofuswouldbeplayingdominoesforlove。Featsofdexterity，puzzlesfortheintelligence，somearithmetical，someofthesameorderastheoldproblemofthefoxandgooseandcabbage，werealwayswelcome；andthelatter，Iobserved，morepopularaswellasmoreconspicuouslywelldonethantheformer。Wehadaregulardailycompetitiontoguessthevessel’sprogress；andtwelveo’clock，whentheresultwaspublishedinthewheel—house，cametobeamomentofconsiderableinterest。Buttheinterestwasunmixed。Notabetwaslaiduponourguesses。FromtheClydetoSandyHookIneverheardawagerofferedortaken。Wehad，besides，rompsinplenty。PussintheCorner，whichwehadrebaptized，inmoremanlystyle，DevilandfourCorners，wasmyownfavouritegame；butthereweremanywhopreferredanother，thehumourofwhichwastoboxaperson’searsuntilhefoundoutwhohadcuffedhim。
ThisTuesdaymorningwewerealldelightedwiththechangeofweather，andinthehighestpossiblespirits。Wegotinaclusterlikebees，sittingbetweeneachother’sfeetunderleeofthedeck—
houses。Storiesandlaughterwentaround。Thechildrenclimbedabouttheshrouds。Whitefacesappearedforthefirsttime，andbegantotakeoncolourfromthewind。Iwaskepthardatworkmakingcigarettesforoneamateurafteranother，andmylessthanmoderateskillwasheartilyadmired。Lastly，downsatthefiddlerinourmidstandbegantodiscoursehisreels，andjigs，andballads，withnowandthenavoiceortwototakeuptheairandthrowintheinterestofhumanspeech。
Throughthismerryandgood—heartedscenetherecamethreecabinpassengers，agentlemanandtwoyoungladies，pickingtheirwaywithlittlegracioustittersofindulgence，andaLady—Bountifulairaboutnothing，whichgalledmetothequick。Ihavelittleoftheradicalinsocialquestions，andhavealwaysnourishedanideathatonepersonwasasgoodasanother。ButIbegantobetroubledbythisepisode。Itwasastonishingwhatinsultsthesepeoplemanagedtoconveybytheirpresence。Theyseemedtothrowtheirclothesinourfaces。Theireyessearchedusalloverfortattersandincongruities。Alaughwasreadyattheirlips；buttheyweretoowell—manneredtoindulgeitinourhearing。Waitabit，tilltheywereallbackinthesaloon，andthenhearhowwittilytheywoulddepictthemannersofthesteerage。Wewereintruthveryinnocently，cheerfully，andsensiblyengaged，andtherewasnoshadowofexcusefortheswayingelegantsuperioritywithwhichthesedamselspassedamongus，orforthestiffandwaggishglancesoftheirsquire。Notawordwassaid；onlywhentheyweregoneMackaysullenlydamnedtheirimpudenceunderhisbreath；butwewereallconsciousofanicyinfluenceandadeadbreakinthecourseofourenjoyment。
STEERAGETYPES
Wehadafellowonboard，anIrish—American，foralltheworldlikeabeggarinaprintbyCallot；one—eyed，withgreat，splaycrow’s—feetroundthesockets；aknottysquabnosecomingdownoverhismoustache；amiraculoushat；ashirtthathadbeenwhite，ay，ageslongago；analpacacoatinitslastsleeves；and，withouthyperbole，nobuttonstohistrousers。Evenintheseragsandtatters，themantwinkledalloverwithimpudencelikeapieceofshamjewellery；andIhaveheardhimofferasituationtooneofhisfellow—passengerswiththeairofalord。Nothingcouldoverliesuchafellow；akindofbasesuccesswaswrittenonhisbrow。Hewastheninhisilldays；butIcanimaginehiminCongresswithhismouthfullofbombastandsawder。Aswemovedinthesamecircle，Iwasbroughtnecessarilyintohissociety。IdonotthinkIeverheardhimsayanythingthatwastrue，kind，orinteresting；buttherewasentertainmentintheman’sdemeanour。Youmightcallhimahalf—
educatedIrishTigg。
OurRussianmadearemarkablecontrasttothisimpossiblefellow。
Rumoursandlegendswerecurrentinthesteeragesabouthisantecedents。SomesaidhewasaNihilistescaping；otherssethimdownforaharmlessspendthrift，whohadsquanderedfiftythousandroubles，andwhosefatherhadnowdespatchedhimtoAmericabywayofpenance。Eithertalemightflourishinsecurity；therewasnocontradictiontobefeared，fortheherospokenotonewordofEnglish。IgotonwithhimlumberinglyenoughinbrokenGerman，andlearnedfromhisownlipsthathehadbeenanapothecary。Hecarriedthephotographofhisbetrothedinapocket—book，andremarkedthatitdidnotdoherjustice。Thecutofhisheadstoodoutfromamongthepassengerswithanairofstartlingstrangeness。Thefirstnaturalinstinctwastotakehimforadesperado；butalthoughthefeatures，toourWesterneyes，hadabarbaricandunhomelycast，theeyebothreassuredandtouched。Itwaslargeandverydarkandsoft，withanexpressionofdumbendurance，asifithadoftenlookedondesperatecircumstancesandneverlookedonthemwithoutresolution。
HecriedoutwhenIusedtheword。’No，no，’hesaid，’notresolution。’
’Theresolutiontoendure，’Iexplained。
Andthenheshruggedhisshoulders，andsaid，’ACH，JA，’withgusto，likeamanwhohasbeenflatteredinhisfavouritepretensions。
Indeed，hewasalwayshintingatsomesecretsorrow；andhislife，hesaid，hadbeenoneofunusualtroubleandanxiety；sothelegendsofthesteeragemayhaverepresentedatleastsomeshadowofthetruth。
Once，andonceonly，hesangasongatourconcerts；standingforthwithoutembarrassment，hisgreatstaturesomewhathumped，hislongarmsfrequentlyextended，hisKalmuckheadthrownbackward。Itwasasuitablepieceofmusic，asdeepasacow’sbellowandwildliketheWhiteSea。Hewasstruckandcharmedbythefreedomandsocialityofourmanners。Athome，hesaid，nooneonajourneywouldspeaktohim，butthosewithwhomhewouldnotcaretospeak；thusunconsciouslyinvolvinghimselfinthecondemnationofhiscountrymen。ButRussiawassoontobechanged；theiceoftheNevawassofteningunderthesunofcivilisation；thenewideas，’WIEEINE
FEINEVIOLINE，’wereaudibleamongthebigemptydrumnotesofImperialdiplomacy；andhelookedtoseeagreatrevival，thoughwithasomewhatindistinctandchildishhope。
WehadafatherandsonwhomadeapairofJacks—of—all—trades。Itwasthesonwhosangthe’DeathofNelson’undersuchcontrariouscircumstances。Hewasbytradeashearerofshipplates；buthecouldtouchtheorgan，andledtwochoirs，andplayedthefluteandpiccoloinaprofessionalstringband。Hisrepertoryofsongswas，besides，inexhaustible，andrangedimpartiallyfromtheverybesttotheveryworstwithinhisreach。Nordidheseemtomaketheleastdistinctionbetweentheseextremes，butwouldcheerilyfollowup’TomBowling’with’Aroundhersplendidform。’
Thefather，anold，cheery，smallpieceofman—hood，coulddoeverythingconnectedwithtinworkfromoneendoftheprocesstotheother，usealmosteverycarpenter’stool，andmakepictureframestoboot。’IsatdownwithsilverplateeverySunday，’saidhe，’andpicturesonthewall。Ihavemadeenoughmoneytoberollinginmycarriage。But，sir，’lookingatmeunsteadilywithhisbrightrheumyeyes，’Iwastroubledwithadrunkenwife。’Hetookahostileviewofmatrimonyinconsequence。’It’sanoldsaying，’heremarked：
’Godmade’em，andthedevilhemixed’em。’
Ithinkhewasjustifiedbyhisexperience。Itwasadrearystory。
HewouldbringhomethreepoundsonSaturday，andonMondayalltheclotheswouldbeinpawn。Sickoftheuselessstruggle，hegaveupapayingcontract，andcontentedhimselfwithsmallandill—paidjobs。
’Abadjobwasasgoodasagoodjobforme，’hesaid；’itallwentthesameway。’Oncethewifeshowedsignsofamendment；shekeptsteadyforweeksonend；itwasagainworthwhiletolabourandtodoone’sbest。Thehusbandfoundagoodsituationsomedistancefromhome，and，tomakealittleuponeveryhand，startedthewifeinacook—shop；thechildrenwerehereandthere，busyasmice；savingsbegantogrowtogetherinthebank，andthegoldenageofhopehadreturnedagaintothatunhappyfamily。Butoneweekmyoldacquaintance，gettingearlierthroughwithhiswork，camehomeontheFridayinsteadoftheSaturday，andtherewashiswifetoreceivehimreelingdrunk。He’tookandgaveherapairo’blackeyes，’forwhichIpardonhim，nailedupthecook—shopdoor，gaveuphissituation，andresignedhimselftoalifeofpoverty，withtheworkhouseattheend。Asthechildrencametotheirfullagetheyfledthehouse，andestablishedthemselvesinothercountries；somedidwell，somenotsowell；butthefatherremainedathomealonewithhisdrunkenwife，allhissound—heartedpluckandvariedaccomplishmentsdepressedandnegatived。
Wasshedeadnow？or，afteralltheseyears，hadhebrokenthechain，andrunfromhomelikeaschoolboy？Icouldnotdiscoverwhich；buthereatleasthewasoutontheadventure，andstilloneofthebravestandmostyouthfulmenonboard。
’Now，Isuppose，Imustputmyoldbonestoworkagain，’saidhe；
’butIcandoaturnyet。’
Andthesontowhomhewasgoing，Iasked，washenotabletosupporthim？
’Ohyes，’hereplied。’ButI’mneverhappywithoutajobonhand。
AndI’mstout；Icaneata’mostanything。Youseenocrazeaboutme。’
Thistaleofadrunkenwifewasparalleledonboardbyanotherofadrunkenfather。Hewasacapableman，withagoodchanceinlife；
buthehaddrunkuptwothrivingbusinesseslikeabottleofsherry，andinvolvedhissonsalongwithhiminruin。Nowtheywereonboardwithus，fleeinghisdisastrousneighbourhood。
Totalabstinence，likeallasceticalconclusions，isunfriendlytothemostgenerous，cheerful，andhumanpartsofman；butitcouldhaveadducedmanyinstancesandargumentsfromamongourship’scompany。Iwas，onedayconversingwithakindandhappyScotsman，runningtofatandperspirationinthephysical，butwithatasteforpoetryandagenialsenseoffun。Ihadaskedhimhishopesinemigrating。Theywerelikethoseofsomanyothers，vagueandunfounded；timeswerebadathome；theyweresaidtohaveaturnforthebetterintheStates；amancouldgetonanywhere，hethought。
Thatwaspreciselytheweakpointofhisposition；forifhecouldgetoninAmerica，whycouldhenotdothesameinScotland？ButI
neverhadthecouragetousethatargument，thoughitwasoftenonthetipofmytongue，andinsteadIagreedwithhimheartilyadding，withrecklessoriginality，’Ifthemanstucktohiswork，andkeptawayfromdrink。’
’Ah！’saidheslowly，’thedrink！Yousee，that’sjustmytrouble。’
Hespokewithasimplicitythatwastouching，lookingatmeatthesametimewithsomethingstrangeandtimidinhiseye，half—ashamed，half—sorry，likeagoodchildwhoknowsheshouldbebeaten。Youwouldhavesaidherecognisedadestinytowhichhewasborn，andacceptedtheconsequencesmildly。LikethemerchantAbudah，hewasatthesametimefleeingfromhisdestinyandcarryingitalongwithhim，thewholeatanexpenseofsixguineas。
AsfarasIsaw，drink，idleness，andincompetencywerethethreegreatcausesofemigration，andforallofthem，anddrinkfirstandforemost，thistrickofgettingtransportedoverseasappearstomethesilliestmeansofcure。Youcannotrunawayfromaweakness；youmustsometimefightitoutorperish；andifthatbeso，whynotnow，andwhereyoustand？COELUMNONANIMAM。ChangeGlenlivetforBourbon，anditisstillwhisky，onlynotsogood。Asea—voyagewillnotgiveamanthenervetoputasidecheappleasure；emigrationhastobedonebeforeweclimbthevessel；anaiminlifeistheonlyfortuneworththefinding；anditisnottobefoundinforeignlands，butintheheartitself。