be called unsuccessful,
for we were not yet two years away from New Bedford, while we had
considerably more than two thousand barrels of oil on board--more, in
fact, than two-thirds of a full cargo. But if a whale were caught every
other day for six months, and then a month elapsed without any being
seen, grumbling would be loud and frequent, all the previous success
being forgotten in the present stagnation. Perhaps it is not so
different in other professions nearer home?

Christmas Day drew near, beloved of Englishmen all the world over,
though thought little of by Americans. The two previous ones spent on
board the CACHALOT have been passed over without mention, absolutely no
notice being taken of the season by any one on board, to all appearance.
In English ships some attempt is always made to give the day somewhat
of a festive character, and to maintain the national tradition of
good-cheer and goodwill in whatever part of the world you may happen to
be. For some reason or other, perhaps because of the great increase in
comfort; we had all experienced lately, I felt the approach of the great
Christian anniversary very strongly; although, had I been in London, I
should probably have spent it in lonely gloom, having no relatives or
friends whom I might visit. But what of that? Christmas is Christmas;
and, if we have no home, we think of the place where our home should be;
and whether, as cynics sneer, Dickens invented the English Christmas or
not, its observance has taken deep root among us. May its shadow never
be less!

On Christmas morning I mounted to the crow's-nest at daybreak, and stood
looking with never-failing awe at the daily marvel of the sunrise.
Often and often have I felt choking for words to express the tumult of
thoughts aroused by this sublime spectacle. Hanging there in cloudland,
the tiny microcosm at one's feet forgotten, the grandeur of the
celestial outlook is overwhelming. Many and many a time I have bowed
my head and wept in pure reverence at the majesty manifested around
me while the glory of the dawn increased and brightened, till with one
exultant bound the sun appeared.

For some time I stood gazing straight ahead of me with eyes that
saw not, filled with wonder and admiration. I must have been looking
directly at the same spot for quite a quarter of an hour, when suddenly,
as if I had but just opened my eyes, I saw the well-known bushy spout of
a sperm whale. I raised the usual yell, w