Two Years Before the Mast
There is a singular piece of rhyme, traditional among sailors, which they say over such pieces of beef. I do not know that it ever appeared in print before. When seated round the kid, if a particularly bad piece is found, one of them takes it up, and addressing it, repeats these lines: "Old horse! old horse! what brought you here?" —"
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The Catholics on shore have no trading and make no journeys on Sunday, but the American has no national religion, and likes to show his independence of priestcraft by doing as he chooses on the Lord's day.
Richard Henry Dana • Two Years Before the Mast
The grading of the road, the rails, the construction of the carriages, they could easily understand, but the motion produced by steam was a little too refined for them. I attempted to show it to them once by an experiment upon the cook's coppers, but failed; probably as much from my own ignorance as from their want of apprehension; and, I have no d
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The dynasty of the priests was much more acceptable to the people of the country, and indeed, to every one concerned with the country, by trade or otherwise, than that of the administradores. The priests were attached perpetually to one mission, and felt the necessity of keeping up its credit. Accordingly, their debts were regularly paid, and the p
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Long term vs. short term objectives, embodied in transfer of mission powers in early California.
He came very near being blown or shaken from the yard, several times, but he was a true sailor, every finger a fish-hook.
Richard Henry Dana • Two Years Before the Mast
In fact, taking together all that I learned from him of seamanship, of the history of sailors' lives, of practical wisdom, and of human nature under new circumstances,—a great history from which many are shut out,—I would not part with the hours I spent in the watch with that man for any given hours of my life passed in study and social intercourse
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doubtless my complexion and hands were enough to distinguish me from the regular salt, who, with a sun-burnt cheek, wide step, and rolling gait, swings his bronzed and toughened hands athwart-ships, half open, as though just ready to grasp a rope.
Richard Henry Dana • Two Years Before the Mast
How easy it is to spot the beginners.
a stench which would drive a donkey from his breakfast,)
Richard Henry Dana • Two Years Before the Mast
I'll have to use this one myself...
But a man is no sailor if he cannot sleep when he turns-in, and turn out when he's called.
Richard Henry Dana • Two Years Before the Mast
I shall never forget the delightful sensation of being in the open air, with the birds singing around me, and escaped from the confinement, labor, and strict rule of a vessel—of being once more in my life, though only for a day, my own master.