July 18. Mr. Johnson preached to a very small congregation to-day. The prejudice against him still continues very strong. He continues to justify his quarrel with Julia S., though he is opposed by the unanimous opinion of the passengers, who think that in striking Julia when she threw the stick of wood at him he violated that beautiful precept of Christ, "But I say unto you that ye resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." They consider such a quarrel at such a time to be a shameful desecration of the Sabbath, and a disgrace to himself.
There was also a prayer-meeting in the afternoon. Among others, Captain J. gave an exhortation, in the course of which he acknowledged that he had not always performed his duty as a Christian during the voyage, asked pardon of the passengers for any wrongs he had done them, and promised to use his exertions to make them more comfortable during the remainder of the voyage.
July 20. Crossed the Tropic of Capricorn in longitude 85° 1' west.
July 25. I have been watching a fine bird of a new species—I mean new to me. As it flew round the ship, seeking for a place to alight, I had a pretty good opportunity to examine it. It was about two-thirds as large as the domestic goose, and had a straight, pointed bill. Excepting the feathers of the wings and tail, which were of a dark gray or slate color, every other part of the bird, including the head, neck, back and breast, the upper and under wing coverts, and tail coverts were of a pure glossy white. I have rarely seen so beautiful a bird.
Our very intimate friends, the Cape Pigeons, have suddenly taken leave. There were a considerable number of them around the ship yesterday; to-day not one is left. Will you smile, dear reader, if I tell you that a slight shade of melancholy passes over me at the departure of these pretty birds, which have been our constant and familiar companions during two months, which have followed us from Brazil to Chili, round the stormy Cape, feeding on the little scraps of food we have thrown them, amusing us by their chattering and scrambling for the precious morsels, which they seemed to expect from us.
The albatrosses left us soon after our departure from Talcahuana. My attempts to secure some of them, have as you have seen, been defeated. It has been a vexatious disappointment to me, and my fellow-passengers often express their regret at it, and their contempt for the littleness of Captain Jackson.
The place of the Cape Pigeons is occupied by a little unassuming bird, in which I always feel much interest—a little thing of dull plumage and no pretensions to beauty. I mean the Stormy Petrel. The one we find here differs from those on the coast of the United States, being smaller and of a lighter plumage. It follows us in considerable numbers, and is quite gentle, coming close to the ship, and betraying very little fear of us. It does not patter the water with its feet, as our petrels do, but it has a singular habit of thrusting out one foot as it flies along, dipping it into the water, and describing a line on the surface sometimes two or three feet long.
July 27. Since leaving Talcahuana our men have found a new amusement for the occupation of their minds, and the exercise of their ingenuity. We took on board some wood from that port, resembling mahogany in color. Out of this wood the passengers have employed themselves in cutting out a variety of articles, such as seals for letters, hollow spools for thread and needles, little boxes, knife handles, heads for canes, and many other things. It is amusing to witness the spirit with which all, young and old, with few exceptions, enter into this business. The decks are covered every day with their whittlings, and every stick of wood that can be used, is eagerly seized and appropriated.
July 28. It is often said, that in long voyages, there commonly grows up a feeling of disgust and ill-will among the passengers towards each other, and that they become morose and quarrelsome, the natural consequence of the tedious monotony of the voyage, and the sameness and want of variety on board ship. I cannot say that our voyage thus far verifies the assertion; for though we have had innumerable quarrels, there has been generally a very good state of feeling among the passengers. This may, perhaps, be accounted for by the attitude of antagonism in which Captain J. placed himself towards us at the commencement of the voyage, (and in which he has continued ever since,) that may have rendered it necessary as a means of defence, for the passengers to maintain harmony and union among themselves. This necessity seems to increase as we approach the termination of the voyage, in consequence of the outrageous outbursts of passion, in which the captain indulges on every occasion, and which on every fresh occasion becomes more and more ungovernable. I have spoken of the ascendency which Mrs. L—t has obtained over him. Her influence has continued to increase, until she has got him entirely under her control. She has a noisy, ill-tempered, mischievous child, about four years old, whom she keeps a great portion of the time in our room in the after house, and who, as well as her mother is exceedingly annoying to us. We have remonstrated with Captain J. against this intrusion, but our remonstrance has only increased the evil, and now, from early morning till bed-time, the two are constant occupants of our cabin. Encouraged by the support she receives from Captain J. she has become very supercilious and insulting. On one occasion I removed her child from our door, where she was doing some mischief, when she began to berate me in very passionate language. But I made no reply to her. This only increased her rage; and she talked still more abusively. Getting vexed myself, I began to whistle. Worse and worse. I remarked that it was growing warm in this room, and she became furious. But having exhausted herself and receiving no reply to her tirade, she soon desisted. But now came the captain's turn. He had lain in his berth and listened to Mrs. L—t's eloquence, and became highly exasperated against me. So leaving his berth, he commenced a furious attack on me, using the most abusive language, and uttering many threats of violence. I replied in such language as I thought the occasion required, and I believe the valorous captain received very little satisfaction.