hue, reminding one of cornstacks at home. Bukit-Jugra,
Cape Rachardo, and Mount Ophir towering up above the
horizon behind the town of Malacca itself, were distinctly
seen ere we reached the numerous islets near the entrance
to the harbour and roads at Singapore.
A long sea voyage has its pleasures as well as its
drawbacks; and in travelling eastward, more especially,
it is quite possible, after crossing “ the Bay,” to get a
smooth voyage all the way. There are times when the
Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, and the China Sea he
sleeping in the sunshine, and a steamer runs as smoothly
.as a canal boat. Of course a yachtsman of the old sea-
dog school is disgusted with this sort of fine weather
sailing; but it is most pleasant to passengers on board
steamships who can he and read under the cool side of
the awning, drinking in the fresh ozonised sea air, untroubled
for the nonce by the cares of business or the
whirl and bustle of the town.
A curious feeling comes over one on viewing the
boundless ocean for the first time on a calm, cloudless
day. It makes one feel extremely small to gaze on what
.appears to be the eternity of sea around, with not a
speck or a sail to break the view on all sides. Then
when a breeze springs up a sense of freedom animates
the breast as the vessel rushes through the water and
shakes the milk-white foam from her bows, as though
•also glad to be free. The pleasure is akin to that of the
saddle. The exhilarating motion of the ship stirs one’s
blood and sends it coursing through one’s veins, as she
•“ walks the waters like a thing of life,” and the strong
pure breeze fans our cheeks and the cool spray comes hi
■our faces like a shower of dew. Well might Buskin give
our English pastime of yachting the first place amongst
recreations. Nothing can be more refreshing than to
stand on board a tight little vessel when there is, according
to the poetry of youthful memory,
“ A wet sheet and a flowing sea, and a wind that follows fast.”
In the joy of the moment you do not wonder at the-
sea-fights, the brave sailors, and the corsairs of o ld ; the
men who love the sea and can struggle with it throug
all its moods and phases, will be brave anywhere,
the sea does not nerve a man to brave actions, nothing
else ever will. Life on the sea is most refreshing to the
average landsman, and on board ship time flies more
pleasantly perhaps than anywhere else, if it be true tha
“ sweet do nothing ” is the acme of enjoyment. What-
an appetite the sea-breezes give one for breakfast, which
is perhaps of all meals that least enjoyed by inland residents
on shore. Our floating cities are the triumphs
of modem civilised ingenuity | and during propitious
weather in a warm climate, life afloat possesses for the
time a freshness and novelty unobtainable elsewhere.