Thus I was beaten at all points; the eatables were too strong for me, the drinkables too--too--I can find no appropriate epithet--probably too artificial.

I consoled myself with the prospect of dinner; but, alas, too soon this sweet vision faded into thin air! On the sixth day I made my first appearance at the covered table, and could not help at once remarking the cloth which had been spread over it.

At the commencement of our journey it might perhaps have been white; now it was most certainly no longer of that snowy hue.

The continual pitching and rolling of the ship had caused each dish to set its peculiar stamp upon the cloth.

A sort of wooden network was now laid upon it, in the interstices of which the plates and glasses were set, and thus secured from falling.