If they have been slung overnight, they are as white as any laundress could have made them; and, of course, the hammock-stowers take more than ordinary care to place them neatly in the nettings, with their bright numbers turned inwards, all nicely lashed up with the regulated proportion of turns, each hammock being of a uniform size from end to end.
While the people are at breakfast, the word is passed to "clean for muster," in any dress the commanding officer may think most suitable to the climate or weather.

Between the tropics, the order for rigging in frocks and trousers is generally delivered in these words:-- "Do you hear, there! fore and aft! Clean for muster at five bells--duck frocks and white trousers!" In colder regions, it is "Blue jackets and trousers;" and in rainy, cold, or blowing weather, the following order is sung out along the lower deck, first by the husky-throated boatswain, and then in a still rougher enunciation by his gruff satellites, the boatswain's mates:-- "D'ye hear, there! Clean shirt and a shave for muster at five bells!" Twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, the operation of shaving is held to be necessary.

These are called "clean-shirt days." Mondays and Fridays are the days appointed for washing the clothes.
It is usual to give the men three quarters, instead of half-an-hour to breakfast on Sundays, that they may have time to rig themselves in proper trim before coming on deck.

The watch, therefore, is called at a quarter-past eight, or it may be one bell, which is half-past.

The forenoon watch bring their clothes-bags up with them, in order that they may not be again required to leave the deck before muster.