From this, too, the sick are neglected at sea, and whatever
may be ashore, a sick man finds little sympathy or attention,
forward or aft. A man, too, can have nothing peculiar or sacred on
board ship; for all the nicer feelings they take pride in
disregarding, both in themselves and others. A thin-skinned man
could not live an hour on ship-board. One would be torn raw unless
he had the hide of an ox. A moment of natural feeling for home and
friends, and then the frigid routine of sea-life returned. Jokes
were made upon those who showed any interest in the expected news, and
everything near and dear was made common stock for rude jokes and
unfeeling coarseness, to which no exception could be taken by any one.
Supper, too, must be eaten before the letters were read; and when,
at last, they were brought out, they all got round any one who had a
letter, and expected to have it read aloud, and have it all in common.
If any one went by himself to read, it was- "Fair play, there; and no
skulking!" I took mine and went into the sailmaker's berth, where I
could read it without interruption. It was dated August, just a year
from the time I had sailed from home; and every one was well, and no
great change had taken place.
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