There is, moreover, a moral point of view to be taken of this question—viz., "the recklessness of human life engendered by things as they are."
The anecdotes which one hears are of themselves sufficient to leave little doubt on this point. Take, for instance, the following:—A vessel having been blown up during the high pressure of a race, among the witnesses called was one who thus replied to the questions put to him:—
EXAMINER.—"Were you on board when the accident took place?"
WITNESS.—"I guess I was, and nurthing else."
EXAMINER.—"Was the captain sober?"
WITNESS.—"Can't tell that, nohow."
EXAMINER.—"Did you not see the captain during the day?"
WITNESS.—"I guess I did."
EXAMINER.—"Then can, you not state your opinion whether he was drunk or not?"
WITNESS.—"I guess I had not much time for observation; he was not on board when I saw him."