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THE WAYS OF MEN
until I notice the little square of oiled paper he is holding out to me that I
understand this reference to the 〃pigeon post〃 with which the Compagnie
Transatlantique is experimenting。 At the invitation of this new
acquaintance I ascend to the upper deck and watch his birds depart。
The tiny bits of paper on which we have written （post…card fashion）
message and address are rolled two or three together； and inserted into a
piece of quill less than two inches long； which； however； they do not
entirely fill。 While a pigeon is held by one man； another pushes one of the
bird's tail… feathers well through the quill； which is then fastened in its
place by two minute wooden wedges。 A moment later the pigeon is tossed
up into the air； and we witness the working of that mysterious instinct
which all our modern science leaves unexplained。 After a turn or two far
up in the clear sky； the bird gets its bearings and darts off on its five…
hundred…mile journey across unknown seas to an unseen land … a voyage
that no deviation or loitering will lengthen； and only fatigue or accident
interrupt； until he alights at his cote。
Five of these willing messengers were started the first day out； and
five more will leave to…morrow； poor little aerial postmen； almost
predestined to destruction （in the latter case）； for we shall then be so far
from land that their one chance of life and home must depend on finding
some friendly mast where an hour's rest may be taken before the bird starts
again on his journey。
In two or three days； according to the weather； we shall begin sending
French pigeons on ahead of us toward Havre。 The gentleman in charge of
them tells me that his wife received all the messages he sent to her during
his westward trip； the birds appearing each morning at her window （where
she was in the habit feeding them） with their tidings from mid…ocean。 He
also tells me that the French fleet in the Mediterranean recently received
messages from their comrades in the Baltic on the third day by these
feathered envoys。
It is hoped that in future ocean steamers will be able to keep up
communication with the land at least four out of the seven days of their
trips； so that； in case of delay or accident； their exact position and
circumstances can be made known at headquarters。 It is a pity； the
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THE WAYS OF MEN
originator of the scheme remarked； that sea…gulls are such hopeless
vagabonds； for they can fly much greater distances than pigeons； and are
not affected by dampness； which seriously cripples the present
messengers。
Later in the day a compatriot； inspired doubtless by the morning's
experiment； confided to me that he had hit on 〃a great scheme；〃 which he
intends to develop on arriving。 His idea is to domesticate families of
porpoises at Havre and New York； as that fish passes for having （like the
pigeon） the homing instinct。 Ships provided with the parent fish can free
one every twenty…four hours； charged with the morning's mail。 The
inventor of this luminous idea has already designed the letter…boxes that
are to be strapped on the fishes' backs； and decided on a neat uniform for
his postmen。
It is amusing during the first days 〃out〃 to watch the people whom
chance has thrown together into such close quarters。 The occult power that
impels a pigeon to seek its kind is feeble in comparison with the faculty
that travellers develop under these circumstances for seeking out
congenial spirits。 Twelve hours do not pass before affinities draw together；
what was apparently a homogeneous mass has by that time grouped and
arranged itself into three or four distinct circles。
The 〃sporty〃 gentlemen in loud clothes have united in the bonds of
friendship with the travelling agents and have chosen the smoking…room as
their headquarters。 No mellow sunset or serene moonlight will tempt these
comrades from the subtleties of poker； the pool on the run is the event of
their day。
A portly prima donna is the centre of another circle。 Her wraps； her
dogs； her admirers； and her brand…new husband （a handsome young
Hungarian with a voice like two Bacian bulls） fill the sitting…room； where
the piano gets but little rest。 Neither sunshine nor soft winds can draw
them to the deck。 Although too ill for the regular meals； this group eat and
drink during fifteen out of the twenty…four hours。
The deck； however； is not deserted； two fashionable dressmakers revel
there。 These sociable ladies asked the COMMISSAIRE at the start 〃to
introduce all the young unmarried men to them；〃 as they wanted to be
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THE WAYS OF MEN
jolly。 They have a numerous court around them； and champagne； like the
conversation； flows freely。 These ladies have already become expert at
shuffleboard； but their 〃sea legs〃 are not so good as might be expected；
and the dames require to be caught and supported by their admirers at each
moment to prevent them from tripping … an immense joke； to judge by the
peals of laughter that follow。
The American wife of a French ambassador sits on the captain's right。
A turn of the diplomatic wheel is taking the lady to Madrid； where her
position will call for supreme tact and self…restraint。 One feels a thrill of
national pride on looking at her high…bred young face and listening as she
chats in French and Spanish； and wonders once more at the marvellous
faculty our women have of adapting themselves so graciously and so
naturally to difficult positions； which the women of other nations rarely
fill well unless born to the purple。 It is the high opinion I have of my
countrywomen that has made me cavil； before now； on seeing them turned
into elaborately dressed nullities by foolish and too adoring husbands。
The voyage is wearing itself away。 Sunny days are succeeded by gray
mornings； as exquisite in