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[[underlined]] 74 [[/underlined]]
Tuesday July 31st '49. Clear. Winds light and variable Saw a Sail to the Eastward. We caught a very large shark to day which measured 9 feet 6 inch in length. I must give room for the following. entitled

A [[Sceene?]] at Sea
The Morn was quite remarkable
On board the Bark Hersilia
For in addition to the dawn
So golden hued and rosy.
We had a treat of varieties
Beyond our fondest hopes
All aiming as misfortunes do
Not singly, but in troops.
And first a "School" of Whales we saw
A "School" I think they spell it
Though if you ask the reason why
I really cannot tell it.
Unless it is because all day
Like School-boys playing truant
They love to frolic time away
Of fun alone pursuant.
We saw I say a school of Whales
All swimming on together
See-sawing with their head and tails
Up one and down the other
And showing now and then their backs,
And every time they rose
Their engines, working like a club
of Fireman with their hose.
The Whales, with all their Water works
Were still an exhibition.
When a school of Shining Porpoises
Appeared in opposition.
Around our bows the nimble fry
Came circling like a Comet