ITisnearlyeightyearssincethisbookwasfirstpublished。Ipresentit，unaltered，intheCheapEdition；andsuchofmyopinionsasitexpresses，arequiteunalteredtoo。
　　MyreadershaveopportunitiesofjudgingforthemselveswhethertheinfluencesandtendencieswhichIdistrustinAmerica，haveanyexistencenotinmyimagination。Theycanexamineforthemselveswhethertherehasbeenanythinginthepubliccareerofthatcountryduringthesepasteightyears，orwhetherthereisanythinginitspresentposition，athomeorabroad，whichsuggeststhatthoseinfluencesandtendenciesreallydoexist。Astheyfindthefact，theywilljudgeme。Iftheydiscernanyevidencesofwrong-
　　goinginanydirectionthatIhaveindicated，theywillacknowledgethatIhadreasoninwhatIwrote。Iftheydiscernnosuchthing，theywillconsidermealtogethermistaken。
　　Prejudiced，IneverhavebeenotherwisethaninfavouroftheUnitedStates。Novisitorcaneverhavesetfootonthoseshores，withastrongerfaithintheRepublicthanIhad，whenIlandedinAmerica。
　　Ipurposelyabstainfromextendingtheseobservationstoanylength。Ihavenothingtodefend，ortoexplainaway。Thetruthisthetruth；andneitherchildishabsurdities，norunscrupulouscontradictions，canmakeitotherwise。Theearthwouldstillmoveroundthesun，thoughthewholeCatholicChurchsaidNo。
　　IhavemanyfriendsinAmerica，andfeelagratefulinterestinthecountry。Torepresentmeasviewingitwithill-nature，animosity，orpartisanship，ismerelytodoaveryfoolishthing，whichisalwaysaveryeasyone；andwhichIhavedisregardedforeightyears，andcoulddisregardforeightymore。
　　MYreadershaveopportunitiesofjudgingforthemselveswhethertheinfluencesandtendencieswhichIdistrustedinAmerica，had，atthattime，anyexistencebutinmyimagination。Theycanexamineforthemselveswhethertherehasbeenanythinginthepubliccareerofthatcountrysince，athomeorabroad，whichsuggeststhatthoseinfluencesandtendenciesreallydidexist。Astheyfindthefact，theywilljudgeme。Iftheydiscernanyevidencesofwrong-going，inanydirectionthatIhaveindicated，theywillacknowledgethatIhadreasoninwhatIwrote。Iftheydiscernnosuchindications，theywillconsidermealtogethermistaken-butnotwilfully。
　　Prejudiced，Iamnot，andneverhavebeen，otherwisethaninfavouroftheUnitedStates。IhavemanyfriendsinAmerica，Ifeelagratefulinterestinthecountry，Ihopeandbelieveitwillsuccessfullyworkoutaproblemofthehighestimportancetothewholehumanrace。TorepresentmeasviewingAMERICAwithill-
　　nature，coldness，oranimosity，ismerelytodoaveryfoolishthing:whichisalwaysaveryeasyone。
　　CHAPTERI-GOINGAWAY
　　ISHALLneverforgettheone-fourthseriousandthree-fourthscomicalastonishment，withwhich，onthemorningofthethirdofJanuaryeighteen-hundred-and-forty-two，Iopenedthedoorof，andputmyheadinto，a'state-room'onboardtheBritanniasteam-
　　packet，twelvehundredtonsburthenperregister，boundforHalifaxandBoston，andcarryingHerMajesty'smails。
　　Thatthisstate-roomhadbeenspeciallyengagedfor'CharlesDickens，Esquire，andLady，'wasrenderedsufficientlycleareventomyscaredintellectbyaverysmallmanuscript，announcingthefact，whichwaspinnedonaveryflatquilt，coveringaverythinmattress，spreadlikeasurgicalplasteronamostinaccessibleshelf。Butthatthiswasthestate-roomconcerningwhichCharlesDickens，Esquire，andLady，hadhelddailyandnightlyconferencesforatleastfourmonthspreceding:thatthiscouldbyanypossibilitybethatsmallsnugchamberoftheimagination，whichCharlesDickens，Esquire，withthespiritofprophecystronguponhim，hadalwaysforetoldwouldcontainatleastonelittlesofa，andwhichhislady，withamodestyetmostmagnificentsenseofitslimiteddimensions，hadfromthefirstopinedwouldnotholdmorethantwoenormousportmanteausinsomeoddcorneroutofsightportmanteauswhichcouldnownomorebegotinatthedoor，nottosaystowedaway，thanagiraffecouldbepersuadedorforcedintoaflower-pot:thatthisutterlyimpracticable，thoroughlyhopeless，andprofoundlypreposterousbox，hadtheremotestreferenceto，orconnectionwith，thosechasteandpretty，nottosaygorgeouslittlebowers，sketchedbyamasterlyhand，inthehighlyvarnishedlithographicplanhangingupintheagent'scounting-houseinthecityofLondon:thatthisroomofstate，inshort，couldbeanythingbutapleasantfictionandcheerfuljestofthecaptain's，inventedandputinpracticeforthebetterrelishandenjoymentoftherealstate-roompresentlytobedisclosed:-theseweretruthswhichIreallycouldnot，forthemoment，bringmymindatalltobearuponorcomprehend。AndIsatdownuponakindofhorsehairslab，orperch，ofwhichthereweretwowithin；andlooked，withoutanyexpressionofcountenancewhatever，atsomefriendswhohadcomeonboardwithus，andwhowerecrushingtheirfacesintoallmannerofshapesbyendeavouringtosqueezethemthroughthesmalldoorway。
　　Wehadexperiencedaprettysmartshockbeforecomingbelow，which，butthatwewerethemostsanguinepeopleliving，mighthavepreparedusfortheworst。TheimaginativeartisttowhomIhavealreadymadeallusion，hasdepictedinthesamegreatwork，achamberofalmostinterminableperspective，furnished，asMr。
　　Robinswouldsay，inastyleofmorethanEasternsplendour，andfilledbutnotinconvenientlysowithgroupsofladiesandgentlemen，intheveryhigheststateofenjoymentandvivacity。
　　Beforedescendingintothebowelsoftheship，wehadpassedfromthedeckintoalongnarrowapartment，notunlikeagigantichearsewithwindowsinthesides；havingattheupperendamelancholystove，atwhichthreeorfourchillystewardswerewarmingtheirhands；whileoneitherside，extendingdownitswholedrearylength，wasalong，longtable，overeachofwhicharack，fixedtothelowroof，andstuckfullofdrinking-glassesandcruet-stands，hinteddismallyatrollingseasandheavyweather。Ihadnotatthattimeseentheidealpresentmentofthischamberwhichhassincegratifiedmesomuch，butIobservedthatoneofourfriendswhohadmadethearrangementsforourvoyage，turnedpaleonentering，retreatedonthefriendbehindhim。，smotehisforeheadinvoluntarily，andsaidbelowhisbreath，'Impossible!itcannotbe!'orwordstothateffect。Herecoveredhimselfhoweverbyagreateffort，andafterapreparatorycoughortwo，cried，withaghastlysmilewhichisstillbeforeme，lookingatthesametimeroundthewalls，'Ha!thebreakfast-room，steward-eh？'Weallforesawwhattheanswermustbe:weknewtheagonyhesuffered。
　　HehadoftenspokenofTHESALOON；hadtakeninandliveduponthepictorialidea；hadusuallygivenustounderstand，athome，thattoformajustconceptionofit，itwouldbenecessarytomultiplythesizeandfurnitureofanordinarydrawing-roombyseven，andthenfallshortofthereality。Whenthemaninreplyavowedthetruth；theblunt，remorseless，nakedtruth；'Thisisthesaloon，sir'-heactuallyreeledbeneaththeblow。
　　Inpersonswhoweresosoontopart，andinterposebetweentheirelsedailycommunicationtheformidablebarrierofmanythousandmilesofstormyspace，andwhowereforthatreasonanxioustocastnoothercloud，noteventhepassingshadowofamoment'sdisappointmentordiscomfiture，upontheshortintervalofhappycompanionshipthatyetremainedtothem-inpersonssosituated，thenaturaltransitionfromthesefirstsurpriseswasobviouslyintopealsofheartylaughter，andIcanreportthatI，forone，beingstillseatedupontheslaborperchbeforementioned，roaredoutrightuntilthevesselrangagain。Thus，inlessthantwominutesaftercominguponitforthefirsttime，weallbycommonconsentagreedthatthisstate-roomwasthepleasantestandmostfacetiousandcapitalcontrivancepossible；andthattohavehaditoneinchlarger，wouldhavebeenquiteadisagreeableanddeplorablestateofthings。Andwiththis；andwithshowinghow，-
　　byverynearlyclosingthedoor，andtwininginandoutlikeserpents，andbycountingthelittlewashingslabasstanding-room，-wecouldmanagetoinsinuatefourpeopleintoit，allatonetime；andentreatingeachothertoobservehowveryairyitwasindock，andhowtherewasabeautifulport-holewhichcouldbekeptopenalldayweatherpermitting，andhowtherewasquitealargebull's-eyejustoverthelooking-glasswhichwouldrendershavingaperfectlyeasyanddelightfulprocesswhentheshipdidn'trolltoomuch；wearrived，atlast，attheunanimousconclusionthatitwasratherspaciousthanotherwise:thoughIdoverilybelievethat，deductingthetwoberths，oneabovetheother，thanwhichnothingsmallerforsleepinginwasevermadeexceptcoffins，itwasnobiggerthanoneofthosehackneycabrioletswhichhavethedoorbehind，andshoottheirfaresout，likesacksofcoals，uponthepavement。
　　Havingsettledthispointtotheperfectsatisfactionofallparties，concernedandunconcerned，wesatdownroundthefireintheladies'cabin-justtotrytheeffect。Itwasratherdark，certainly；butsomebodysaid，'ofcourseitwouldbelight，atsea，'apropositiontowhichweallassented；echoing'ofcourse，ofcourse；'thoughitwouldbeexceedinglydifficulttosaywhywethoughtso。Iremember，too，whenwehaddiscoveredandexhaustedanothertopicofconsolationinthecircumstanceofthisladies'
　　cabinadjoiningourstate-room，andtheconsequentlyimmensefeasibilityofsittingthereatalltimesandseasons，andhadfallenintoamomentarysilence，leaningourfacesonourhandsandlookingatthefire，oneofourpartysaid，withthesolemnairofamanwhohadmadeadiscovery，'Whatarelishmulledclaretwillhavedownhere!'whichappearedtostrikeusallmostforcibly；asthoughthereweresomethingspicyandhigh-flavouredincabins，whichessentiallyimprovedthatcomposition，andrendereditquiteincapableofperfectionanywhereelse。
　　Therewasastewardess，too，activelyengagedinproducingcleansheetsandtable-clothsfromtheveryentrailsofthesofas，andfromunexpectedlockers，ofsuchartfulmechanism，thatitmadeone'sheadachetoseethemopenedoneafteranother，andrendereditquiteadistractingcircumstancetofollowherproceedings，andtofindthateverynookandcornerandindividualpieceoffurniturewassomethingelsebesideswhatitpretendedtobe，andwasameretrapanddeceptionandplaceofsecretstowage，whoseostensiblepurposewasitsleastusefulone。
　　GodblessthatstewardessforherpiouslyfraudulentaccountofJanuaryvoyages!Godblessherforherclearrecollectionofthecompanionpassageoflastyear，whennobodywasill，andeverybodydancingfrommorningtonight，anditwas'arun'oftwelvedays，andapieceofthepurestfrolic，anddelight，andjollity!AllhappinessbewithherforherbrightfaceandherpleasantScotchtongue，whichhadsoundsofoldHomeinitformyfellow-traveller；
　　andforherpredictionsoffairwindsandfineweatherallwrong，orIshouldn'tbehalfsofondofher；andforthetenthousandsmallfragmentsofgenuinewomanlytact，bywhich，withoutpiecingthemelaboratelytogether，andpatchingthemupintoshapeandformandcaseandpointedapplication，sheneverthelessdidplainlyshowthatallyoungmothersononesideoftheAtlanticwerenearandcloseathandtotheirlittlechildrenleftupontheother；andthatwhatseemedtotheuninitiatedaseriousjourney，was，tothosewhowereinthesecret，amerefrolic，tobesungaboutandwhistledat!Lightbeherheart，andgayhermerryeyes，foryears!
　　Thestate-roomhadgrownprettyfast；butbythistimeithadexpandedintosomethingquitebulky，andalmostboastedabay-
　　windowtoviewtheseafrom。Sowewentupondeckagaininhighspirits；andthere，everythingwasinsuchastateofbustleandactivepreparation，thatthebloodquickeneditspace，andwhirledthroughone'sveinsonthatclearfrostymorningwithinvoluntarymirthfulness。Foreverygallantshipwasridingslowlyupanddown，andeverylittleboatwassplashingnoisilyinthewater；andknotsofpeoplestooduponthewharf，gazingwithakindof'dreaddelight'onthefar-famedfastAmericansteamer；andonepartyofmenwere'takinginthemilk，'or，inotherwords，gettingthecowonboard；andanotherwerefillingtheicehousestotheverythroatwithfreshprovisions；withbutchers'-meatandgarden-stuff，palesucking-pigs，calves'headsinscores，beef，veal，andpork，andpoultryoutofallproportion；andotherswerecoilingropesandbusywithoakumyarns；andotherswereloweringheavypackagesintothehold；andthepurser'sheadwasbarelyvisibleasitloomedinastate，ofexquisiteperplexityfromthemidstofavastpileofpassengers'luggage；andthereseemedtobenothinggoingonanywhere，oruppermostinthemindofanybody，butpreparationsforthismightyvoyage。This，withthebrightcoldsun，thebracingair，thecrisply-curlingwater，thethinwhitecrustofmorningiceuponthedeckswhichcrackledwithasharpandcheerfulsoundbeneaththelightesttread，wasirresistible。Andwhen，againupontheshore，weturnedandsawfromthevessel'smasthernamesignalledinflagsofjoyouscolours，andflutteringbytheirsidethebeautifulAmericanbannerwithitsstarsandstripes，-thelongthreethousandmilesandmore，and，longerstill，thesixwholemonthsofabsence，sodwindledandfaded，thattheshiphadgoneoutandcomehomeagain，anditwasbroadspringalreadyintheCoburgDockatLiverpool。
　　Ihavenotinquiredamongmymedicalacquaintance，whetherTurtle，andcoldPunch，withHock，Champagne，andClaret，andalltheslightetceterausuallyincludedinanunlimitedorderforagooddinner-especiallywhenitislefttotheliberalconstructionofmyfaultlessfriend，Mr。Radley，oftheAdelphiHotel-arepeculiarlycalculatedtosufferasea-change；orwhetheraplainmutton-chop，andaglassortwoofsherry，wouldbelesslikelyofconversionintoforeignanddisconcertingmaterial。Myownopinionis，thatwhetheroneisdiscreetorindiscreetintheseparticulars，ontheeveofasea-voyage，isamatteroflittleconsequence；andthat，touseacommonphrase，'itcomestoverymuchthesamethingintheend。'Bethisasitmay，Iknowthatthedinnerofthatdaywasundeniablyperfect；thatitcomprehendedalltheseitems，andagreatmanymore；andthatwealldidamplejusticetoit。AndIknowtoo，that，batingacertaintacitavoidanceofanyallusiontoto-morrow；suchasmaybesupposedtoprevailbetweendelicate-mindedturnkeys，andasensitiveprisonerwhoistobehangednextmorning；wegotonverywell，and，allthingsconsidered，weremerryenough。
　　Whenthemorning-THEmorning-came，andwemetatbreakfast，itwascurioustoseehoweagerweallweretopreventamoment'spauseintheconversation，andhowastoundinglygayeverybodywas:
　　theforcedspiritsofeachmemberofthelittlepartyhavingasmuchlikenesstohisnaturalmirth，ashot-housepeasatfiveguineasthequart，resembleinflavourthegrowthofthedews，andair，andrainofHeaven。Butasoneo'clock，thehourforgoingaboard，drewnear，thisvolubilitydwindledawaybylittleandlittle，despitethemostperseveringeffortstothecontrary，untilatlast，thematterbeingnowquitedesperate，wethrewoffalldisguise；openlyspeculateduponwhereweshouldbethistimeto-
　　morrow，thistimenextday，andsoforth；andentrustedavastnumberofmessagestothosewhointendedreturningtotownthatnight，whichweretobedeliveredathomeandelsewherewithoutfail，withintheveryshortestpossiblespaceoftimeafterthearrivaloftherailwaytrainatEustonSquare。Andcommissionsandremembrancesdosocrowdupononeatsuchatime，thatwewerestillbusiedwiththisemploymentwhenwefoundourselvesfused，asitwere，intoadenseconglomerationofpassengersandpassengers'
　　friendsandpassengers'luggage，alljumbledtogetheronthedeckofasmallsteamboat，andpantingandsnortingofftothepacket，whichhadworkedoutofdockyesterdayafternoonandwasnowlyingathermooringsintheriver。
　　Andtheresheis!alleyesareturnedtowhereshelies，dimlydiscerniblethroughthegatheringfogoftheearlywinterafternoon；everyfingerispointedinthesamedirection；andmurmursofinterestandadmiration-as'Howbeautifulshelooks!'
　　'Howtrimsheis!'-areheardoneveryside。Eventhelazygentlemanwithhishatononesideandhishandsinhispockets，whohasdispensedsomuchconsolationbyinquiringwithayawnofanothergentlemanwhetherheis'goingacross'-asifitwereaferry-evenhecondescendstolookthatway，andnodhishead，aswhoshouldsay，'NomistakeaboutTHAT:'andnoteventhesageLordBurleighinhisnod，includedhalfsomuchasthislazygentlemanofmightwhohasmadethepassageaseverybodyonboardhasfoundoutalready；it'simpossibletosayhowthirteentimeswithoutasingleaccident!Thereisanotherpassengerverymuchwrapped-up，whohasbeenfrowneddownbytherest，andmorallytrampleduponandcrushed，forpresumingtoinquirewithatimidinteresthowlongitissincethepoorPresidentwentdown。Heisstandingclosetothelazygentleman，andsayswithafaintsmilethathebelievesSheisaverystrongShip；towhichthelazygentleman，lookingfirstinhisquestioner'seyeandthenveryhardinthewind's，answersunexpectedlyandominously，thatSheneedbe。Uponthisthelazygentlemaninstantlyfallsverylowinthepopularestimation，andthepassengers，withlooksofdefiance，whispertoeachotherthatheisanass，andanimpostor，andclearlydon'tknowanythingatallaboutit。
　　Butwearemadefastalongsidethepacket，whosehugeredfunnelissmokingbravely，givingrichpromiseofseriousintentions。
　　Packing-cases，portmanteaus，carpet-bags，andboxes，arealreadypassedfromhandtohand，andhauledonboardwithbreathlessrapidity。Theofficers，smartlydressed，areatthegangwayhandingthepassengersuptheside，andhurryingthemen。Infiveminutes'time，thelittlesteamerisutterlydeserted，andthepacketisbesetandover-runbyitslatefreight，whoinstantlypervadethewholeship，andaretobemetwithbythedozenineverynookandcorner:swarmingdownbelowwiththeirownbaggage，andstumblingoverotherpeople's；disposingthemselvescomfortablyinwrongcabins，andcreatingamosthorribleconfusionbyhavingtoturnoutagain；madlybentuponopeninglockeddoors，andonforcingapassageintoallkindsofout-of-the-wayplaceswherethereisnothoroughfare；sendingwildstewards，withelfinhair，toandfrouponthebreezydecksonunintelligibleerrands，impossibleofexecution:andinshort，creatingthemostextraordinaryandbewilderingtumult。Inthemidstofallthis，thelazygentleman，whoseemstohavenoluggageofanykind-notsomuchasafriend，even-loungesupanddownthehurricanedeck，coollypuffingacigar；and，asthisunconcerneddemeanouragainexaltshimintheopinionofthosewhohaveleisuretoobservehisproceedings，everytimehelooksupatthemasts，ordownatthedecks，orovertheside，theylooktheretoo，aswonderingwhetherheseesanythingwronganywhere，andhopingthat，incaseheshould，hewillhavethegoodnesstomentionit。
　　Whathavewehere？Thecaptain'sboat!andyonderthecaptainhimself。Now，byallourhopesandwishes，theverymanheoughttobe!Awell-made，tight-built，dapperlittlefellow；witharuddyface，whichisaletterofinvitationtoshakehimbybothhandsatonce；andwithaclear，bluehonesteye，thatitdoesonegoodtoseeone'ssparklingimagein。'Ringthebell!''Ding，ding，ding!'theverybellisinahurry。'Nowfortheshore-
　　who'sfortheshore？'-'Thesegentlemen，Iamsorrytosay。'Theyareaway，andneversaid，Goodb'ye。Ahnowtheywaveitfromthelittleboat。'Goodb'ye!Goodb'ye!'Threecheersfromthem；
　　threemorefromus；threemorefromthem:andtheyaregone。
　　Toandfro，toandfro，toandfroagainahundredtimes!Thiswaitingforthelatestmail-bagsisworsethanall。Ifwecouldhavegoneoffinthemidstofthatlastburst，weshouldhavestartedtriumphantly:buttoliehere，twohoursandmoreinthedampfog，neitherstayingathomenorgoingabroad，islettingonegraduallydownintotheverydepthsofdulnessandlowspirits。A
　　speckinthemist，atlast!That'ssomething。Itistheboatwewaitfor!That'smoretothepurpose。Thecaptainappearsonthepaddle-boxwithhisspeakingtrumpet；theofficerstaketheirstations；allhandsareonthealert；theflagginghopesofthepassengersrevive；thecookspauseintheirsavourywork，andlookoutwithfacesfullofinterest。Theboatcomesalongside；thebagsaredraggedinanyhow，andflungdownforthemomentanywhere。
　　Threecheersmore:andasthefirstoneringsuponourears，thevesselthrobslikeastronggiantthathasjustreceivedthebreathoflife；thetwogreatwheelsturnfiercelyroundforthefirsttime；andthenobleship，withwindandtideastern，breaksproudlythroughthelashedandroamingwater。
　　CHAPTERII-THEPASSAGEOUT
　　WEalldinedtogetherthatday；andaratherformidablepartywewere:nofewerthaneighty-sixstrong。Thevesselbeingprettydeepinthewater，withallhercoalsonboardandsomanypassengers，andtheweatherbeingcalmandquiet，therewasbutlittlemotion；sothatbeforethedinnerwashalfover，eventhosepassengerswhoweremostdistrustfulofthemselvespluckedupamazingly；andthosewhointhemorninghadreturnedtotheuniversalquestion，'Areyouagoodsailor？'averydecidednegative，noweitherparriedtheinquirywiththeevasivereply，'Oh!IsupposeI'mnoworsethananybodyelse；'or，recklessofallmoralobligations，answeredboldly'Yes:'andwithsomeirritationtoo，asthoughtheywouldadd，'IshouldliketoknowwhatyouseeinME，sir，particularly，tojustifysuspicion!'
　　Notwithstandingthishightoneofcourageandconfidence，Icouldnotbutobservethatveryfewremainedlongovertheirwine；andthateverybodyhadanunusualloveoftheopenair；andthatthefavouriteandmostcovetedseatswereinvariablythosenearesttothedoor。Thetea-table，too，wasbynomeansaswellattendedasthedinner-table；andtherewaslesswhist-playingthanmighthavebeenexpected。Still，withtheexceptionofonelady，whohadretiredwithsomeprecipitationatdinner-time，immediatelyafterbeingassistedtothefinestcutofaveryyellowboiledlegofmuttonwithverygreencapers，therewerenoinvalidsasyet；andwalking，andsmoking，anddrinkingofbrandy-and-waterbutalwaysintheopenair，wentonwithunabatedspirit，untileleveno'clockorthereabouts，when'turningin'-nosailorofsevenhours'experiencetalksofgoingtobed-becametheorderofthenight。Theperpetualtrampofboot-heelsonthedecksgaveplacetoaheavysilence，andthewholehumanfreightwasstowedawaybelow，exceptingaveryfewstragglers，likemyself，whowereprobably，likeme，afraidtogothere。
　　Tooneunaccustomedtosuchscenes，thisisaverystrikingtimeonshipboard。Afterwards，andwhenitsnoveltyhadlongwornoff，itneverceasedtohaveapeculiarinterestandcharmforme。Thegloomthroughwhichthegreatblackmassholdsitsdirectandcertaincourse；therushingwater，plainlyheard，butdimlyseen；
　　thebroad，white，glisteningtrack，thatfollowsinthevessel'swake；themenonthelook-outforward，whowouldbescarcelyvisibleagainstthedarksky，butfortheirblottingoutsomescoreofglisteningstars；thehelmsmanatthewheel，withtheilluminatedcardbeforehim，shining，aspeckoflightamidstthedarkness，likesomethingsentientandofDivineintelligence；themelancholysighingofthewindthroughblock，andrope，andchain；
　　thegleamingforthoflightfromeverycrevice，nook，andtinypieceofglassaboutthedecks，asthoughtheshipwerefilledwithfireinhiding，readytoburstthroughanyoutlet，wildwithitsresistlesspowerofdeathandruin。Atfirst，too，andevenwhenthehour，andalltheobjectsitexalts，havecometobefamiliar，itisdifficult，aloneandthoughtful，toholdthemtotheirpropershapesandforms。Theychangewiththewanderingfancy；assumethesemblanceofthingsleftfaraway；putonthewell-rememberedaspectoffavouriteplacesdearlyloved；andevenpeoplethemwithshadows。Streets，houses，rooms；figuressoliketheirusualoccupants，thattheyhavestartledmebytheirreality，whichfarexceeded，asitseemedtome，allpowerofminetoconjureuptheabsent；have，manyandmanyatime，atsuchanhour，grownsuddenlyoutofobjectswithwhosereallook，anduse，andpurpose，Iwasaswellacquaintedaswithmyowntwohands。
　　Myowntwohands，andfeetlikewise，beingverycold，however，onthisparticularoccasion，Icreptbelowatmidnight。Itwasnotexactlycomfortablebelow。Itwasdecidedlyclose；anditwasimpossibletobeunconsciousofthepresenceofthatextraordinarycompoundofstrangesmells，whichistobefoundnowherebutonboardship，andwhichissuchasubtleperfumethatitseemstoenterateveryporeoftheskin，andwhisperofthehold。Twopassengers'wivesoneofthemmyownlayalreadyinsilentagoniesonthesofa；andonelady'smaidMYlady'swasamerebundleonthefloor，execratingherdestiny，andpoundinghercurl-
　　papersamongthestrayboxes。Everythingslopedthewrongway:
　　whichinitselfwasanaggravationscarcelytobeborne。Ihadleftthedooropen，amomentbefore，inthebosomofagentledeclivity，and，whenIturnedtoshutit，itwasonthesummitofaloftyeminence。Noweveryplankandtimbercreaked，asiftheshipweremadeofwicker-work；andnowcrackled，likeanenormousfireofthedriestpossibletwigs。Therewasnothingforitbutbed；soIwenttobed。
　　Itwasprettymuchthesameforthenexttwodays，withatolerablyfairwindanddryweather。IreadinbedbuttothishourIdon'tknowwhatagooddeal；andreeledondeckalittle；drankcoldbrandy-and-waterwithanunspeakabledisgust，andatehardbiscuitperseveringly:notill，butgoingtobe。
　　Itisthethirdmorning。Iamawakenedoutofmysleepbyadismalshriekfrommywife，whodemandstoknowwhetherthere'sanydanger。Irousemyself，andlookoutofbed。Thewater-jugisplungingandleapinglikealivelydolphin；allthesmallerarticlesareafloat，exceptmyshoes，whicharestrandedonacarpet-bag，highanddry，likeacoupleofcoal-barges。SuddenlyI
　　seethemspringintotheair，andbeholdthelooking-glass，whichisnailedtothewall，stickingfastupontheceiling。Atthesametimethedoorentirelydisappears，andanewoneisopenedinthefloor。ThenIbegintocomprehendthatthestate-roomisstandingonitshead。
　　Beforeitispossibletomakeanyarrangementatallcompatiblewiththisnovelstateofthings，theshiprights。Beforeonecansay'ThankHeaven!'shewrongsagain。BeforeonecancrysheIS
　　wrong，sheseemstohavestartedforward，andtobeacreatureactuallyrunningofitsownaccord，withbrokenkneesandfailinglegs，througheveryvarietyofholeandpitfall，andstumblingconstantly。Beforeonecansomuchaswonder，shetakesahighleapintotheair。Beforeshehaswelldonethat，shetakesadeepdiveintothewater。Beforeshehasgainedthesurface，shethrowsasummerset。Theinstantsheisonherlegs，sherushesbackward。
　　Andsoshegoesonstaggering，heaving，wrestling，leaping，diving，jumping，pitching，throbbing，rolling，androcking:andgoingthroughallthesemovements，sometimesbyturns，andsometimesaltogether:untilonefeelsdisposedtoroarformercy。
　　Astewardpasses。'Steward!''Sir？''WhatISthematter？whatDO
　　youcallthis？''Ratheraheavyseaon，sir，andahead-wind。'
　　Ahead-wind!Imagineahumanfaceuponthevessel'sprow，withfifteenthousandSamsonsinonebentupondrivingherback，andhittingherexactlybetweentheeyeswheneversheattemptstoadvanceaninch。Imaginetheshipherself，witheverypulseandarteryofherhugebodyswollenandburstingunderthismaltreatment，sworntogoonordie。Imaginethewindhowling，thesearoaring，therainbeating:allinfuriousarrayagainsther。
　　Picturetheskybothdarkandwild，andtheclouds，infearfulsympathywiththewaves，makinganotheroceanintheair。Addtoallthis，theclatteringondeckanddownbelow；thetreadofhurriedfeet；theloudhoarseshoutsofseamen；thegurglinginandoutofwaterthroughthescuppers；with，everynowandthen，thestrikingofaheavyseaupontheplanksabove，withthedeep，dead，heavysoundofthunderheardwithinavault；-andthereisthehead-windofthatJanuarymorning。
　　Isaynothingofwhatmaybecalledthedomesticnoisesoftheship:suchasthebreakingofglassandcrockery，thetumblingdownofstewards，thegambols，overhead，ofloosecasksandtruantdozensofbottledporter，andtheveryremarkableandfarfromexhilaratingsoundsraisedintheirvariousstate-roomsbytheseventypassengerswhoweretooilltogetuptobreakfast。Isaynothingofthem:foralthoughIlaylisteningtothisconcertforthreeorfourdays，Idon'tthinkIhearditformorethanaquarterofaminute，attheexpirationofwhichterm，Ilaydownagain，excessivelysea-sick。
　　Notsea-sick，beitunderstood，intheordinaryacceptationoftheterm:IwishIhadbeen:butinaformwhichIhaveneverseenorhearddescribed，thoughIhavenodoubtitisverycommon。Ilaythere，allthedaylong，quitecoollyandcontentedly；withnosenseofweariness，withnodesiretogetup，orgetbetter，ortaketheair；withnocuriosity，orcare，orregret，ofanysortordegree，savingthatIthinkIcanremember，inthisuniversalindifference，havingakindoflazyjoy-offiendishdelight，ifanythingsolethargiccanbedignifiedwiththetitle-inthefactofmywifebeingtooilltotalktome。IfImaybeallowedtoillustratemystateofmindbysuchanexample，IshouldsaythatI
　　wasexactlyintheconditionoftheelderMr。Willet，aftertheincursionoftheriotersintohisbaratChigwell。Nothingwouldhavesurprisedme。If，inthemomentaryilluminationofanyrayofintelligencethatmayhavecomeuponmeinthewayofthoughtsofHome，agoblinpostman，withascarletcoatandbell，hadcomeintothatlittlekennelbeforeme，broadawakeinbroadday，and，apologisingforbeingdampthroughwalkinginthesea，hadhandedmealetterdirectedtomyself，infamiliarcharacters，IamcertainIshouldnothavefeltoneatomofastonishment:Ishouldhavebeenperfectlysatisfied。IfNeptunehimselfhadwalkedin，withatoastedsharkonhistrident，Ishouldhavelookedupontheeventasoneoftheverycommonesteverydayoccurrences。
　　Once-once-Ifoundmyselfondeck。Idon'tknowhowIgotthere，orwhatpossessedmetogothere，butthereIwas；andcompletelydressedtoo，withahugepea-coaton，andapairofbootssuchasnoweakmaninhissensescouldeverhavegotinto。