ve
against sea-sickness. Mr. Slug has cut it up into small portions, and is
now sticking it over himself in every direction.'
'_Three o'clock_.
'Precisely a quarter of an hour ago we weighed anchor, and the machinery
was suddenly put in motion with a noise so appalling, that Professor
Woodensconce (who had ascended to his berth by means of a platform of
carpet-bags arranged by himself on geometrical principals) darted from
his shelf head foremost, and, gaining his feet with all the rapidity of
extreme terror, ran wildly into the ladies' cabin, under the impression
that we were sinking, and uttering loud cries for aid. I am assured that
the scene which ensued baffles all description. There were one hundred
and forty-seven ladies in their respective berths at the time.
'Mr. Slug has remarked, as an additional instance of the extreme
ingenuity of the steam-engine as applied to purposes of navigation, that
in whatever part of the vessel a passenger's berth may be situated, the
machinery always appears to be exactly under his pillow. He intends
stating this very beautiful, though simple discovery, to the
association.'
'_Half-past ten_.
'We are still in smooth water; that is to say, in as smooth water as a
steam-vessel ever can be, for, as Professor Woodensconce (who has just
woke up) learnedly remarks, another great point of ingenuity about a
steamer is, that it always carries a little storm with it. You can
scarcely conceive how exciting the jerking pulsation of the ship becomes.
It is a matter of positive difficulty to get to sleep.'
'_Friday afternoon_, _six o'clock_.
'I regret to inform you that Mr. Slug's plaster has proved of no avail.
He is in great agony, but has applied several large, additional pieces
notwithstanding. How affecting is this extreme devotion to science and
pursuit of knowledge under the most trying circumstances!
'We were extremely happy this morning, and the breakfast was one of the
most animated description. Nothing unpleasant occurred until noon, with
the exception of Doctor Foxey's brown silk umbrella and white hat
becoming entangled in the machinery while he was explaining to a knot of
ladies the construction of the steam-engine. I fear the gravy soup for
lunch was injudicious. We lost a great many passengers almost
imme
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