and advancing from the
bow of the vessel, as if just stepped on board, they come forward
to the mainmast, and summon before them all such persons as have
never sworn the oaths or previously visited their capital. At
the foot of the mast is placed a large tub full of sea-water, and
covered by a piece of canvas, which is held tight by four of
their attendants. Upon this unsteady throne is the luckless
wight, whom they design to initiate, compelled to sit; and being
asked several questions, which he cannot answer, and taking
several oaths, very much resembling those said to be administered
at Highgate, Neptune proceeds to confer upon him the honour of
filiation, by rather an extraordinary process. Two of the
sea-nymphs, generally tall stout fellows, pinion his arms to his
sides; and another, bringing a bucket filled with grease and
slops from the kitchen, sets it down at his godship's feet,
putting a small painting-brush into his hand. Neptune now dips
his brush into the filth, and proceeds to spread a lather over
the face of the novice, taking care to ask questions during the
whole process; and if the adopted be simple enough to reply, the
brush is instantly thrust into his mouth. As soon as a
sufficient quantity of grease is laid upon the face, Neptune
seizes a piece of rusty iron, generally the broken hoop of some
water-cask, with which he scrapes off all that has been applied.
If the novice take all this patiently, his face is washed, and he
is permitted to descend from his throne in peace; but if he lose
his temper, which most men are apt to do, a bucket of sea-water
is poured upon his head. If this be sufficient to cool his
wrath, he suffers no more; but if it only increase his
indignation, bucket after bucket is emptied over him, and at
last, the holders of the sail-cloth suddenly retiring, he is
plunged overhead into the tub. To crown all, the unfortunate
wretch who has endured these miseries is fined by his tormentor
in a gallon of ruin; a fine which the force of custom compels him
to pay. It must be confessed that this is a barbarous amusement,
much resembling that of the boys in the fable of the boys and the
frogs. Though very agreeable to those who act and to the lookers
on, it is not so to him that suffers.

In this manner many persons were treated, till at length Neptune,
growing weary from the number of novices, was content to admit
the rest to the privileges of initiation, on condition that the