This may be called an ebullition of enthusiasm, the sole effect of feminine weakness—but the greatest characters on earth have confessed the power of early associations. Seneca, banished to Corsica, found his philosophy fail in a vain attempt to reconcile him to the island; and pathetically entreats the soil of the land of his banishment, to lie lightly on the ashes of the living. To Seneca, Corsica was a grave. But on the other hand, Napoleon, to whom the same island was a cradle, declared when in exile, that if once more permitted to see the place of his nativity, he should embrace the ground with rapture; and even if led blindfold, he could discover it by the very smell.
Our time hung heavily on our hands, during the day. The continual motion of the vessel prohibited us from doing exactly what we desired; but I fear, want of inclination prevented some of us from employing ourselves, where useful employment was really practicable. During these hours of idleness, the gentlemen amused themselves with shooting at stormy petrels; birds in some degree resembling the martins, and whose residence is confined to the main ocean: it is said they are never to be seen within two hundred miles of land. Shoot at them, they did indeed, about twenty times a day; but although the birds were seen in a state of quiescence, riding upon the summit of the huge waves, frequently within a few yards of the gun’s muzzle—not one was ever shot. From observation, I became so confident that they would hit something, that I removed my children from the deck for safety.
Some say that these birds, like the enemies of the Puritans, possess a charm against cold lead. This attribute is perhaps, as true as that of their eternal residence on the waves of the ocean; and is not entirely destitute of utility, if it serve to excuse the inexpertness of nautical sportsmen.
We had been perplexed for many days with light winds, and were driven far northward. After we had been about twenty days under sail, and had reached a very high latitude, the air, influenced by the neighbouring ice-bergs, became very cold. While in this position, one star-light night, about seven o’clock, we were surprised by the appearance of a phenomenon in the heavens, which we, at first conceived to be an aurora borealis; but it did not correspond, in every particular, with the descriptions we have read and heard of the aurora. I shall here attempt to describe it.
Let the reader imagine the arc of a circle, about 90° in length, with its concave side turned due north. From its convex side, divergent streams of light were seen about 30° in length, equal in all points, and distinctly shewing in brilliant display, all the colours of the rainbow. Without shooting or darting, they remained in all their splendour for a full hour. After that period, they gradually began to grow dim, but preserved their position till they became no longer visible: this was about two hours from their first appearance.
The number of porpoises that played around the ship, seemed to enjoy as much amusement as they imparted. The rapidity with which these unwieldly creatures move, is very surprising. From a rough calculation, made by a gentleman on board, taking the rate of the vessel for his datum, their speed was about thirty miles per hour. We saw some flying fish; they are elegant little things, and when seen in a certain position, resemble the pictorial representation of miniature angels.
A few sharks were seen darting through the water. They abound on the American coast, and render sea bathing very dangerous. Their usual practice is, to scour the shore with the incoming tide, in search of food; and for that reason, it is safe to bathe only when the tide is receding. From ignorance of this circumstance, accidents have occurred to Europeans, which in some instances, have been attended with fatal consequences.
Naturalists have remarked that the shark turns on its side when in the act of seizing its prey; and that while he is changing his position, the object of his attack has time to escape. This cannot have been recorded from actual observation. The celerity with which the voracious creature cuts through the water, surpasses comprehension—the human eye can scarcely follow him. I have had frequent opportunities of observing him when seizing his prey or a bait, and witnessed experiments made in clear water for the purpose of attesting the truth of the above assertion; and all that I could discover, amounts to a possibility that he may perhaps, slightly swerve his body;—but, even if so, there is scarcely time given for an intent observer to notice the motion; and to escape when once within his reach, is absolutely impracticable.
In descending from the north we crossed the banks of Newfoundland. These banks are covered with water, varying in depth from twenty to sixty fathoms. Here, innumerable quantities of fish are nourished, by vegetable substances washed down in the Gulf Stream; and fishing smacks, from all parts of Europe and America, assemble here at certain seasons, to take in their cargoes. Were the whole world supplied with fish from this quarter, it is supposed no perceptible diminution would occur. The eagerness of the fish in taking a bait in salt water is really astonishing; and forms a striking contrast to the caution evinced, under similar circumstances, by the fresh water species.
A fog prevailed during our passage across the banks. This, I understood, is by no means an unusual occurrence. We found the water here to preserve a uniformity of appearance with that on soundings: in the main ocean it is many shades darker in colour.