In some eases the proportion is still greater.

Whereas, with _the people_ it is four hours in and four hours off continually.
What is the reason, then, that the common seamen should fare so hard in this matter?
It would seem but a simple thing to let them get down their hammocks during the day for a nap.

But no; such a proceeding would mar the uniformity of daily events in a man-of-war.

It seems indispensable to the picturesque effect of the spar-deck, that the hammocks should invariably remain stowed in the nettings between sunrise and sundown.

But the chief reason is this--a reason which has sanctioned many an abuse in this world--_precedents are against it;_ such a thing as sailors sleeping in their hammocks in the daytime, after being eight hours exposed to a night-storm, was hardly ever heard of in the navy.