ry and practice of seamanship, and duty
as officers, with all the _technicalities_ belonging to it,--this is all
we dare propose.

5th. We have begun to look forward to that festival of the seamen, the
crossing the line. I know not whence the custom is derived, but the
Arabs observe it with ceremonies not very unlike those practised by our
own sailors. To-day a letter, containing a sketch of the intended
festival, with thanks for permission to keep it, was sent into the
cabin. I shall copy it with its answer. I find that some captains have
begun to give money at the next port, instead of permitting this day of
misrule. Perhaps they may be right, and perhaps in time it may be
forgotten; but will it be better that it should be so? It is the
sailors' only festival; and I like a festival: it gives the heart room
to play. The head in one class, and the limbs in another, work every
day, and in divers, if not opposite directions; but on a festival, the
hearts of all beat the same way: yet I would not have them too often,
for

"If every day were playing holiday,
To sport would be as tedious as to work;"

the converse of the proverb, "All work and no play, makes Jack a dull
boy." But to our letters.

"The sons of Neptune, of His Majesty's ship Doris, commanded by Captain
T.G., return their most grateful thanks for his kind condescension for
granting them the favour that has been allowed to them from time
immemorial, in crossing the Equinoctial, on our Old Father Neptune's
dominions, when we hope the characters will meet your Honour's
approbation, which will appear in the margin.

Thomas Clark, quarter-master, -- Neptune.
J. Ware, forecastle, -- Amphitrite.
W. Knight, -- Amphitrite's Son.
W. Sullivan, 2d captain main-top, -- Triton.
C. Brisbane (_negro_), -- Triton's Horse.
J. Thompson, gunner's mate, -- High Sheriff.
J. White, forecastle, -- Sub Sheriff.
W. Sinclair, captain forecastle, -- Barber.
J. Smith, J. Forster, Michael Jaque, -- Barber's Mates.
J. Gaggin, -- Clerk.
W. Bird, captain fore-top, -- Chief Constable.
Nine assistants.
J. Duncan, boatswain's mate, -- Coachman.
J. Clark, -- Postilion.
J. Leath, -- Footman.
J. Speed,