Thirty-Six Years of a Seafaring Life (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1839 edition. Excerpt: ...Adam's wife had been perfectly blind since the birth of her son, who was then twenty-two years old: it was really pleasing to see the kind attention paid to her, not only by her husband, but by all the little community, who, sensible of her privations, endeavoured by the tenderest care to make her forget some of them. Whatever occurs, nothing can prevent general and public worship; the day begins and ends with prayer. At 4, in the morning, every soul on the island repairs to the church-house, as it is called, where two hymns, either of Wesleys or Watts' selections are sung or rather said in a soft plaintive tone, well suited to the scene; after which a prayer is said, sometimes from a book, sometimes otherwise, but in all cases every one responds a hearty Amen. When prayer is ended, all are at liberty to return to their houses or go to work in their grounds as occasion may offer. Ten o'clock is the hour all over the island for the first or morning meal, as it is called; at this time all repair to their houses to breakfast, which usually consists of yams, cooked in so many different ways, that a stranger would be puzzled to find out the yam at all. Fish is also used for breakfast: I have seen pork on the breakfast table, but it is not common. Before any one attempts to touch the food, the oldest person at the table implores a blessing on it. It was delightful to see the venerable Adams take his hat off to pray; it brought to my mind those beautiful lines in Burns' Cotter's, Saturday night: --"His bonnet reverently laid aside, "The saint, the husband, and the father pray'd "To heaven's eternal king." (The quotation may be incorrect for it is long, very long since I read it;) the day is again devoted to various duties, those whose...