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354 Music of the Waters. |
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practice, however, eventually led to such riots, broils, and bloodshed, that it was forbidden by the Dutch Government. It was long preserved, however, in the British navy as a punishment. In the Annual Register for 1797, there is an account of four naval officers who were soused by a mutinous crew on board his Britannic Majesty's ship Sandwich. The writer calls it a 'curious ceremony.' The unhappy naval officers must have thought it so !
"' They tie the unfortunate victims' feet together, and their hands together, and put their bed at their back, making it fast round them, at the same time adding an eighteen-pound ball-shot to bring them down. They afterwards make them fast to a tackle suspended from the yardarm, and hoisting them nearly up to the block, all at once let go, and drop them souse into the sea, where they remain a minute, and then are again hoisted and let down alternately, till there are scarce any signs of life remaining.' When the miserable victims are ducked enough (according to the fancy of their judges), they are triced up by the heels that the water may run out of them, and then stowed away in their hammocks. This kindness was denied to the four naval officers, who, after having hung head down for some time, were tumbled into a boat and sent ashore." l
The following extract is from "A Land-Lubber's Log," in the Newcastle Weekly Chronicle:—
BURYING THE DEAD HORSE.
Auctioneer.—"A poor old man came riding by.
Chorus.—And they say so, and they hope so. Auctioneer.—A poor old man came riding by. Chorus.—A poor old man,
A poor old man came riding by. Auctioneer.—They say, old man, your horse will die. If he dies I will tan his hide, And if he lives I will ride him again ; I'll have his hide to make my shoes.
1 Clarke Russell. |
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