retain my seat, and see everything around me. Looking towards the shore, I saw nothing resembling my dear old dirty docks. No, there was nothing but trees and flowers, with here and there picturesque little landing stages and small villas. The Recorder guided our little craft round the various vessels to allow me to get an idea of their external appearance. I should say each vessel was nine hundred feet in length. They had a very high freeboard, not less than ten feet: the railing, which took the place of bulwarks, was quite open and light in construction, standing about three feet high.
The Recorder told me in passing that these great vessels were built wholly of aluminium bronze, which, he stated, resisted the effects of the atmosphere and was very strong. In going round the harbour we met many parties that the Recorder told me were composed of seamen. Such oddities. They were the same type of being as my guides, only browned by the sun and exposure, and instead of being dressed in white, their little figures were clad in garments
