On the Sunday afternoon I spoke1 of, it was my watch below, and I thought I would spend it profitably, in improving my mind.
My bunk2 was an upper one; and right over the head of it was a bull's-eye, or circular piece of thick ground glass, inserted into the deck to give light. It was a dull, dubious3 light, though; and I often found myself looking up anxiously to see whether the bull's-eye had not suddenly been put out; for whenever any one trod on it, in walking the deck, it was momentarily quenched5; and what was still worse, sometimes a coil of rope would be thrown down on it, and stay there till I dressed myself and went up to remove it—a kind of interruption to my studies which annoyed me very much, when diligently6 occupied in reading.
However, I was glad of any light at all, down in that gloomy hole, where we burrowed7 like rabbits in a warren; and it was the happiest time I had, when all my messmates were asleep, and I could lie on my back, during a forenoon watch below, and read in comparative quiet and seclusion8.
I had already read two books loaned to me by Max, to whose share they had fallen, in dividing the effects of the sailor who had jumped overboard. One was an account of Shipwrecks9 and Disasters at Sea, and the other was a large black volume, with Delirium10 Tremens in great gilt11 letters on the back. This proved to be a popular treatise12 on the subject of that disease; and I remembered seeing several copies in the sailor book-stalls about Fulton Market, and along South-street, in New York.
But this Sunday I got out a book, from which I expected to reap great profit and sound instruction. It had been presented to me by Mr. Jones, who had quite a library, and took down this book from a top shelf, where it lay very dusty. When he gave it to me, he said, that although I was going to sea, I must not forget the importance of a good education; and that there was hardly any situation in life, however humble13 and depressed14, or dark and gloomy, but one might find leisure in it to store his mind, and build himself up in the exact sciences. And he added, that though it did look rather unfavorable for my future prospects15, to be going to sea as a common sailor so early in life; yet, it would no doubt turn out for my benefit in the end; and, at any rate, if I would only take good care of myself, would give me a sound constitution, if nothing more; and that was not to be undervalued, for how many very rich men would give all their bonds and mortgages for my boyish robustness16.
He added, that I need not expect any light, trivial work, that was merely entertaining, and nothing more; but here I would find entertainment and edification beautifully and harmoniously18 combined; and though, at first, I might possibly find it dull, yet, if I perused19 the book thoroughly21, it would soon discover hidden charms and unforeseen attractions; besides teaching me, perhaps, the true way to retrieve22 the poverty of my family, and again make them all well-to-do in the world.
Saying this, he handed it to me, and I blew the dust off, and looked at the back: "Smith's Wealth of Nations." This not satisfying me, I glanced at the title page, and found it was an "Enquiry into the Nature and Causes" of the alleged23 wealth of nations. But happening to look further down, I caught sight of "Aberdeen," where the book was printed; and thinking that any thing from Scotland, a foreign country, must prove some way or other pleasing to me, I thanked Mr. Jones very kindly24, and promised to peruse20 the volume carefully.
So, now, lying in my bunk, I began the book methodically, at page number one, resolved not to permit a few flying glimpses into it, taken previously25, to prevent me from making regular approaches to the gist26 and body of the book, where I fancied lay something like the philosopher's stone, a secret talisman27, which would transmute28 even pitch and tar4 to silver and gold.
Pleasant, though vague visions of future opulence29 floated before me, as I commenced the first chapter, entitled "Of the causes of improvement in the productive power of labor30." Dry as crackers31 and cheese, to be sure; and the chapter itself was not much better. But this was only getting initiated32; and if I read on, the grand secret would be opened to me. So I read on and on, about "wages and profits of labor," without getting any profits myself for my pains in perusing33 it.
Dryer34 and dryer; the very leaves smelt35 of saw-dust; till at last I drank some water, and went at it again. But soon I had to give it up for lost work; and thought that the old backgammon board, we had at home, lettered on the back, "The History of Rome" was quite as full of matter, and a great deal more entertaining. I wondered whether Mr. Jones had ever read the volume himself; and could not help remembering, that he had to get on a chair when he reached it down from its dusty shelf; that certainly looked suspicious.
The best reading was on the fly leaves; and, on turning them over, I lighted upon some half effaced36 pencil-marks to the following effect: "Jonathan Jones, from his particular friend Daniel Dods, 1798." So it must have originally belonged to Mr. Jones' father; and I wondered whether he had ever read it; or, indeed, whether any body had ever read it, even the author himself; but then authors, they say, never read their own books; writing them, being enough in all conscience.
At length I fell asleep, with the volume in my hand; and never slept so sound before; after that, I used to wrap my jacket round it, and use it for a pillow; for which purpose it answered very well; only I sometimes waked up feeling dull and stupid; but of course the book could not have been the cause of that.
Jackson, who seemed to know every thing about all parts of the world, used to tell Jack in reproach, that he was an Irish Cockney. By which I understood, that he was an Irishman born, but had graduated in London, somewhere about Radcliffe Highway; but he had no sort of brogue that I could hear.
He was a curious looking fellow, about twenty-five years old, as I should judge; but to look at his back, you would have taken him for a little old man. His arms and legs were very large, round, short, and stumpy; so that when he had on his great monkey-jacket, and sou'west cap flapping in his face, and his sea boots drawn39 up to his knees, he looked like a fat porpoise40, standing41 on end. He had a round face, too, like a walrus42; and with about the same expression, half human and half indescribable. He was, upon the whole, a good-natured fellow, and a little given to looking at sea-life romantically; singing songs about susceptible43 mermaids44 who fell in love with handsome young oyster45 boys and gallant46 fishermen. And he had a sad story about a man-of-war's-man who broke his heart at Portsmouth during the late war, and threw away his life recklessly at one of the quarter-deck cannonades, in the battle between the Guerriere and Constitution; and another incomprehensible story about a sort of fairy sea-queen, who used to be dunning a sea-captain all the time for his autograph to boil in some eel38 soup, for a spell against the scurvy47.
He believed in all kinds of witch-work and magic; and had some wild Irish words he used to mutter over during a calm for a fair wind.
And he frequently related his interviews in Liverpool with a fortune-teller, an old negro woman by the name of De Squak, whose house was much frequented by sailors; and how she had two black cats, with remarkably48 green eyes, and nightcaps on their heads, solemnly seated on a claw-footed table near the old goblin; when she felt his pulse, to tell what was going to befall him.
This Blunt had a large head of hair, very thick and bushy; but from some cause or other, it was rapidly turning gray; and in its transition state made him look as if he wore a shako of badger49 skin.
The phenomenon of gray hairs on a young head, had perplexed50 and confounded this Blunt to such a degree that he at last came to the conclusion it must be the result of the black art, wrought51 upon him by an enemy; and that enemy, he opined, was an old sailor landlord in Marseilles, whom he had once seriously offended, by knocking him down in a fray52.
So while in New York, finding his hair growing grayer and grayer, and all his friends, the ladies and others, laughing at him, and calling him an old man with one foot in the grave, he slipt out one night to an apothecary53's, stated his case, and wanted to know what could be done for him.
The apothecary immediately gave him a pint54 bottle of something he called "Trafalgar Oil for restoring the hair," price one dollar; and told him that after he had used that bottle, and it did not have the desired effect, he must try bottle No. 2, called "Balm of Paradise, or the Elixir55 of the Battle of Copenhagen." These high-sounding naval56 names delighted Blunt, and he had no doubt there must be virtue57 in them.
I saw both bottles; and on one of them was an engraving58, representing a young man, presumed to be gray-headed, standing in his night-dress in the middle of his chamber59, and with closed eyes applying the Elixir to his head, with both hands; while on the bed adjacent stood a large bottle, conspicuously60 labeled, "Balm of Paradise." It seemed from the text, that this gray-headed young man was so smitten61 with his hair-oil, and was so thoroughly persuaded of its virtues62, that he had got out of bed, even in his sleep; groped into his closet, seized the precious bottle, applied63 its contents, and then to bed again, getting up in the morning without knowing any thing about it. Which, indeed, was a most mysterious occurrence; and it was still more mysterious, how the engraver64 came to know an event, of which the actor himself was ignorant, and where there were no bystanders.
Three times in the twenty-four hours, Blunt, while at sea, regularly rubbed in his liniments; but though the first bottle was soon exhausted65 by his copious66 applications, and the second half gone, he still stuck to it, that by the time we got to Liverpool, his exertions67 would be crowned with success. And he was not a little delighted, that this gradual change would be operating while we were at sea; so as not to expose him to the invidious observations of people ashore68; on the same principle that dandies go into the country when they purpose raising whiskers. He would often ask his shipmates, whether they noticed any change yet; and if so, how much of a change? And to tell the truth, there was a very great change indeed; for the constant soaking of his hair with oil, operating in conjunction with the neglect of his toilet, and want of a brush and comb, had matted his locks together like a wild horse's mane, and imparted to it a blackish and extremely glossy69 hue70. Besides his collection of hair-oils, Blunt had also provided himself with several boxes of pills, which he had purchased from a sailor doctor in New York, who by placards stuck on the posts along the wharves71, advertised to remain standing at the northeast corner of Catharine Market, every Monday and Friday, between the hours of ten and twelve in the morning, to receive calls from patients, distribute medicines, and give advice gratis72.
Whether Blunt thought he had the dyspepsia or not, I can not say; but at breakfast, he always took three pills with his coffee; something as they do in Iowa, when the bilious73 fever prevails; where, at the boarding-houses, they put a vial of blue pills into the castor, along with the pepper and mustard, and next door to another vial of toothpicks. But they are very ill-bred and unpolished in the western country.
Several times, too, Blunt treated himself to a flowing bumper74 of horse salts (Glauber salts); for like many other seamen75, he never went to sea without a good supply of that luxury. He would frequently, also, take this medicine in a wet jacket, and then go on deck into a rain storm. But this is nothing to other sailors, who at sea will doctor themselves with calomel off Cape76 Horn, and still remain on duty. And in this connection, some really frightful77 stories might be told; but I forbear.
For a landsman to take salts as this Blunt did, it would perhaps be the death of him; but at sea the salt air and the salt water prevent you from catching78 cold so readily as on land; and for my own part, on board this very ship, being so illy-provided with clothes, I frequently turned into my bunk soaking wet, and turned out again piping hot, and smoking like a roasted sirloin; and yet was never the worse for it; for then, I bore a charmed life of youth and health, and was dagger-proof to bodily ill.
But it is time to tell of the Dream Book. Snugly79 hidden in one corner of his chest, Blunt had an extraordinary looking pamphlet, with a red cover, marked all over with astrological signs and ciphers80, and purporting81 to be a full and complete treatise on the art of Divination82; so that the most simple sailor could teach it to himself.
It also purported83 to be the selfsame system, by aid of which Napoleon Bonaparte had risen in the world from being a corporal to an emperor. Hence it was entitled the Bonaparte Dream Book; for the magic of it lay in the interpretation84 of dreams, and their application to the foreseeing of future events; so that all preparatory measures might be taken beforehand; which would be exceedingly convenient, and satisfactory every way, if true. The problems were to be cast by means of figures, in some perplexed and difficult way, which, however, was facilitated by a set of tables in the end of the pamphlet, something like the Logarithm Tables at the end of Bowditch's Navigator.
Now, Blunt revered85, adored, and worshiped this Bonaparte Dream Book of his; and was fully17 persuaded that between those red covers, and in his own dreams, lay all the secrets of futurity. Every morning before taking his pills, and applying his hair-oils, he would steal out of his bunk before the rest of the watch were awake; take out his pamphlet, and a bit of chalk; and then straddling his chest, begin scratching his oily head to remember his fugitive86 dreams; marking down strokes on his chest-lid, as if he were casting up his daily accounts.
Though often perplexed and lost in mazes87 concerning the cabalistic figures in the book, and the chapter of directions to beginners; for he could with difficulty read at all; yet, in the end, if not interrupted, he somehow managed to arrive at a conclusion satisfactory to him. So that, as he generally wore a good-humored expression, no doubt he must have thought, that all his future affairs were working together for the best.
But one night he started us all up in a fright, by springing from his bunk, his eyes ready to start out of his head, and crying, in a husky voice—"Boys! boys! get the benches ready! Quick, quick!"
"Benches! benches!" screamed Blunt, without heeding89 him, "cut down the forests, bear a hand, boys; the Day of Judgment's coming!"
But the next moment, he got quietly into his bunk, and laid still, muttering to himself, he had only been rambling90 in his sleep.
I did not know exactly what he had meant by his benches; till, shortly after, I overheard two of the sailors debating, whether mankind would stand or sit at the Last Day.
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1
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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2
bunk
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| n.(车、船等倚壁而设的)铺位；废话 | |
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dubious
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| adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的 | |
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tar
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| n.柏油，焦油；vt.涂或浇柏油/焦油于 | |
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5
quenched
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| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
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diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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burrowed
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| v.挖掘（洞穴），挖洞( burrow的过去式和过去分词 )；翻寻 | |
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seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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shipwrecks
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| 海难，船只失事( shipwreck的名词复数 )； 沉船 | |
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delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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gilt
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| adj.镀金的；n.金边证券 | |
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12
treatise
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| n.专著；(专题)论文 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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robustness
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| 坚固性，健壮性；鲁棒性 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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harmoniously
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| 和谐地，调和地 | |
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perused
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| v.读（某篇文字）( peruse的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指）细阅；审阅；匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览（某篇文字） | |
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peruse
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| v.细读，精读 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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22
retrieve
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| vt.重新得到，收回；挽回，补救；检索 | |
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alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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gist
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| n.要旨；梗概 | |
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talisman
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| n.避邪物，护身符 | |
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transmute
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| vt.使变化，使改变 | |
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opulence
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| n.财富，富裕 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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crackers
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| adj.精神错乱的，癫狂的n.爆竹( cracker的名词复数 )；薄脆饼干；（认为）十分愉快的事；迷人的姑娘 | |
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initiated
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| n. 创始人 adj. 新加入的 vt. 开始，创始，启蒙，介绍加入 | |
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33
perusing
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| v.读（某篇文字）( peruse的现在分词 )；（尤指）细阅；审阅；匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览（某篇文字） | |
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dryer
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| n.干衣机，干燥剂 | |
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smelt
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| v.熔解，熔炼；n.银白鱼，胡瓜鱼 | |
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36
effaced
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| v.擦掉( efface的过去式和过去分词 )；抹去；超越；使黯然失色 | |
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37
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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eel
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| n.鳗鲡 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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40
porpoise
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| n.鼠海豚 | |
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41
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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42
walrus
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| n.海象 | |
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43
susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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44
mermaids
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| n.（传说中的）美人鱼( mermaid的名词复数 ) | |
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45
oyster
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| n.牡蛎；沉默寡言的人 | |
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46
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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47
scurvy
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| adj.下流的，卑鄙的，无礼的；n.坏血病 | |
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48
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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49
badger
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| v.一再烦扰，一再要求，纠缠 | |
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50
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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51
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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52
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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53
apothecary
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| n.药剂师 | |
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54
pint
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| n.品脱 | |
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55
elixir
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| n.长生不老药，万能药 | |
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56
naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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57
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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58
engraving
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| n.版画；雕刻（作品）；雕刻艺术；镌版术v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的现在分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中） | |
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59
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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60
conspicuously
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| ad.明显地，惹人注目地 | |
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61
smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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62
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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63
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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64
engraver
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| n.雕刻师，雕工 | |
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65
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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66
copious
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| adj.丰富的，大量的 | |
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67
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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68
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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69
glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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70
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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71
wharves
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| n.码头，停泊处( wharf的名词复数 ) | |
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72
gratis
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| adj.免费的 | |
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73
bilious
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| adj.胆汁过多的；易怒的 | |
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74
bumper
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| n.(汽车上的)保险杠；adj.特大的，丰盛的 | |
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75
seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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76
cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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77
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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78
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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79
snugly
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| adv.紧贴地；贴身地；暖和舒适地；安适地 | |
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80
ciphers
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| n.密码( cipher的名词复数 )；零；不重要的人；无价值的东西 | |
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81
purporting
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| v.声称是…，（装得）像是…的样子( purport的现在分词 ) | |
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82
divination
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| n.占卜，预测 | |
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83
purported
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| adj.传说的，谣传的v.声称是…，（装得）像是…的样子( purport的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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84
interpretation
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| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
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85
revered
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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86
fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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87
mazes
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| 迷宫( maze的名词复数 )； 纷繁复杂的规则； 复杂难懂的细节； 迷宫图 | |
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88
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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89
heeding
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的现在分词 ) | |
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90
rambling
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| adj.[建]凌乱的，杂乱的 | |
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