[Publib] Heritage

[Backwage at aol.com]

I'm reading "Sailing on Friday," a history of the American Merchant Marine, 
 by John Butler.  Excerpts:
 
"If one disease was endemic among seamen, it was alcoholism."
 
"Sailors were apt to be sexually liberal.  They categorized sexual  
activity--like eating, sleeping, bathing, and grooming--as a normal human need,  to 
be discreetly satisfied with little discussion.  The tendency was to be  
morally neutral.   Removed from the customary strictures of society in  a 
routine without religious support, sailors relied on the faith that came from  
within or from youthful conditioning.  Apart from fleshly indulgences in  
port, temporary escapes into alcohol, or fits of uncontrolled rage after long  
periods at sea, sailors deviated little from normal standards."
 
Actually if you string those brief episodes of alcoholic stupor together  
you can fashion a pretty good existence, with the occasional fit of 
uncontrolled  rage for spice.
 
Select this one for your library or I'll trice you to the cathead for a  
flogging.
 
M. M. 
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