Part 18 (1/2)
”Are you not then affected by the winds and tides?”
”Of course we are: but there is a universal balance throughout nature, and every thing finds its level There is order, when there appears disorder--and no stream runs in one direction, without a counter stream, to restore the equilibriues which continually take place, I should say that we are very little, if at all, affected by the tides--which may be considered as a sort of exercise, prescribed by nature to keep the ocean in good health The same may be affirmed with respect to the winds
Wind is a substance, as well as water, capable of great expansion, but still a substance A certain portion has been allotted to the world for its convenience, and there is a regularity in its apparent variability
It must be self-evident, when all the wind has been collected to the eastward, by the north-west gales which prevail in winter, that it must be crowded and penned up in that quarter, and, from its known expansive powers, must return and restore the equilibriu continuance of easterly winds, in the months of February and March”
”You said that you had communication with Europe?”
”We have occasionally visits perforce, from those who are cast away in shi+ps or boats; but the people who co the island is very great: and we flatter ourselves, that feho have remained any time with us, have ever felt the desire”
”What--not to leave a barren rock, without even a blade of grass upon it”
”Happiness,” replied my conductor, ”does not consist in the variety of your possessions, but in being contented hat you have;”--and he commenced the descent of the hill
I followed hiine little comfort in such a sterile spot
”I am not a native of this island,” observed he, as alked along; ”it is more than four hundred years since it was first inhabited, by the crew of a French vessel, which was lost in the Northern ocean But I do not wish to leave it I was cast on it in a whale-boat, when separated froo I am now a married man, with a family, and am considered one of the wealthiest inhabitants of the island, for I possess between forty and fifty whales”
”Whales!” exclaimed I, with astonishment
”Yes,” replied my conductor, ”whales, which are the staple of this island, and without them we should not be so prosperous and so happy as we are But you have e that there is nothing existing in the world, which, from necessity and by perseverance, man cannot subject to his use Yon lake which covers the bottom of our valley, is our source of wealth and comfort, and yields us an increase as plentiful as the most fertile plains of Italy or France”
As we arrived close to the foot of the hills, I perceived several black substances on the shores of the lake ”Are those whales?” inquired I
”They hales, but they are now houses That one by itself is mine, which I hope you will consider as yours, until you have made up your mind as to what you will do”
We descended to the beach, and his co, left me with my conductor, who led the way to his house It was coer than ever I had seen in the Northern ocean The back-bone and ribs of the animal served as rafters to extend the skin, which wore the rese tent; it was further secured by ropes, formed of the twisted sinehich passed over the top, and were round on each side When I entered, I found to ht, which was supplied froround down very thin, and at the further end the head and skull of the anih the spiracles or breathing-holes above
On each side of the room into which I was ushered were raised seats, covered with seal skins, and the other end of the house was divided off with a species of black skin, into sleeping apartments for the master of the house and his family There was not the least se dwelling-place
I was introduced to his wife, elcomed me with cordiality She was dressed in the same dark skin as her husband, but of a much finer texture, and had a scarlet cap on her head, as well as scarlet tris to the front and bottom of her dress, which on the whole was not only co in its appearance
A bowl ofabstinence
”How!” observed I, ”have you milk here without pasture?”
”Yes,” replied my host, ”drink it, and tell me if you think it palatable”
I did so, and found it very little different from the asses' milk of my own country--perhaps with a little more acidity of taste In the e cheese, were placed upon the table, which, as well as the stools, was composed entirely of bone
”And cheese, too?” said I
”Yes, and you will find it not bad It is the milk of the whale which you have drank--and the cheese is prepared from the same”
”Friend Huckaback,” observed the pacha, ”I think you are telling me lies Who ever heard of whale's milk?”