for place, which, before the seats are allotted, some-
times rises to a downright fight whenever the bell
rings. I never saw the Darwinian theory more aptly
illustrated than before these table tickets were p-iven
out ; in a voyage to California, the survival of the fit-
test was a foregone conclusion. At meal time partic-
ularly the animal was let loose ; the strong prevailed,
and (obtained a seat at table, while the weak, or such
as did not choose to exercise their strength if they had
it, waited, and took what was left.
As the strong man fed, he lapsed into a state of semi-unconsciousness; his manners were unstudied, and his abandon perfect. He could sweep the dishes of their contents, far as the arm could reach, quicker than a prairie fire sweeps the ground of grass. The movements of a starved dog over the cat's saucer of milk were slow as compared with his movements. He appeared wholly unaware of the presence of women and children who likewise were hungry for food, thouofh I have seen females who could flight for their survival with the best of the men. When his hunger was satisfied, he came to himself, gazed wistfully about, picked his teeth with his pocket-knife, and slowly retired.
Steamers for the Californian passenger trade were usually built with three or four decks ; they were at this time all side-wheel and carried small masts. Sails were sometimes spread, though little depended upon them in navigating the ship. The larger ves- sels employed from seventy-five to one hundred men, officers, seamen, and servants. Of all the employes the firemen were the greatest sufferers ; working be- fore a hot furnace down in the hold, they were fre- quently so overcome of heat that they had to be packed in ice to cool them off. On the upper deck, above the ship's hull, was a double row of state-rooms, with ample space between them and the guards for sittinof and walkingf, and for the managfement of the ship. On this dock, forward, were also the pilot-
