He was always busy when not asleep; and, what was of more importance, and frequently an annoyance to the ship's company, he dearly loved to see other people busy.
He regarded idleness as the parent of evil, and always acted on the uncharitable principle that if steady employment is not provided for a ship's company they will be constantly contriving mischief.
Unfortunately for the crew of the Clarissa, Mr.Fairfield had great influence with the captain, having sailed with him the previous voyage, and proved himself a good and faithful officer.

He, therefore, had no difficulty in carrying into operation his favorite scheme of KEEPING ALL HANDS AT WORK.

A large quantity of "old junk" was put on board in Salem, and on the passage to Brazil, after we reached the pleasant latitudes, all hands were employed from eight o'clock in the morning until six o'clock in the evening in knotting yarns, twisting spunyarn, weaving mats, braiding sinnett, making reef-points and gaskets, and manufacturing small rope to be used for "royal rigging," for among the ingenious expedients devised by the second mate for keeping the crew employed was the absurd and unprofitable one of changing the snug pole royal masts into "sliding gunters," with royal yards athwart, man-of-war fashion.
Sunday on board the Clarissa was welcomed as a day of respite from hard labor.

The crew on that day had "watch and watch," which gave them an opportunity to attend to many little duties connected with their individual comforts, that had been neglected during the previous week.
This is exemplified in a conversation I had with Newhall, one of my watchmates, one pleasant Sunday morning, after breakfast.
"Heigh-ho," sighed Newhall, with a sepulchral yawn; "Sunday has come at last, and I am glad.

It is called a day of rest, but is no day of rest for me.