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- CHAPTER XVIII.
HE ENDEAVORS TO IMPROVE HIS MIND; AND TELLS OF ONE BLUNT AND HIS DREAM
BOOK
On the Sunday afternoon I spoke of, it was my watch below, and I
thought I would spend it profitably, in improving my mind.
My bunk was an upper one; and right over the head of it was a
_bull’s-eye,_ or circular piece of thick ground glass, inserted into
the deck to give light. It was a dull, dubious light, though; and I
often found myself looking up anxiously to see whether the bull’s-eye
had not suddenly been put out; for whenever any one trod on it, in
walking the deck, it was momentarily quenched; and what was still
worse, sometimes a coil of rope would be thrown down on it, and stay
there till I dressed myself and went up to remove it—a kind of
interruption to my studies which annoyed me very much, when diligently
occupied in reading.
However, I was glad of any light at all, down in that gloomy hole,
where we burrowed like rabbits in a warren; and it was the happiest
time I had, when all my messmates were asleep, and I could lie on my
back, during a forenoon watch below, and read in comparative quiet and
seclusion.
I had already read two books loaned to me by Max, to whose share they
had fallen, in dividing the effects of the sailor who had jumped
overboard. One was an account of Shipwrecks and Disasters at Sea, and
the other was a large black volume, with _Delirium Tremens_ in great
gilt letters on the back. This proved to be a popular treatise on the
subject of that disease; and I remembered seeing several copies in the
sailor book-stalls about Fulton Market, and along South-street, in New
York.
But this Sunday I got out a book, from which I expected to reap great
profit and sound instruction. It had been presented to me by Mr. Jones,
who had quite a library, and took down this book from a top shelf,
where it lay very dusty. When he gave it to me, he said, that although
I was going to sea, I must not forget the importance of a good
education; and that there was hardly any situation in life, however
humble and depressed, or dark and gloomy, but one might find leisure in
it to store his mind, and build himself up in the exact sciences. And
he added, that though it _did_ look rather unfavorable for my future
prospects, to be going to sea as a common sailor so early in life; yet,
it would no doubt turn out for my benefit in the end; and, at any rate,
if I would only take good care of myself, would give me a sound
constitution, if nothing more; and _that_ was not to be undervalued,
for how many very rich men would give all their bonds and mortgages for
my boyish robustness.
He added, that I need not expect any light, trivial work, that was
merely entertaining, and nothing more; but here I would find
entertainment and edification beautifully and harmoniously combined;
and though, at first, I might possibly find it dull, yet, if I perused
the book thoroughly, it would soon discover hidden charms and
unforeseen attractions; besides teaching me, perhaps, the true way to
retrieve the poverty of my family, and again make them all well-to-do
in the world.
Saying this, he handed it to me, and I blew the dust off, and looked at
the back: _“Smith’s Wealth of Nations.”_ This not satisfying me, I
glanced at the title page, and found it was an _“Enquiry into the
Nature and Causes”_ of the alleged wealth of nations. But happening to
look further down, I caught sight of _“Aberdeen,”_ where the book was
printed; and thinking that any thing from Scotland, a foreign country,
must prove some way or other pleasing to me, I thanked Mr. Jones very
kindly, and promised to peruse the volume carefully.
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