City. In 1845, in conjunction with Edgar A. Poe, he began the publication
of the "Broadway Journal;" he was also connected with the "New York
Times," and the "Evening Mirror;" also as editor from 1853 to 1856 with
"Putnam's Magazine." Mr. Briggs wrote a few novels, some poetry, and
numerous little humorous tales and sketches. The following selection is
from "Working a Passage; or, Life on a Liner," one of his best stories.

1. Among the luxuries which the captain had provided for himself and
passengers was a fine green turtle, which was not likely to suffer from
exposure to salt water, so it was reserved until all the pigs, and sheep,
and poultry had been eaten. A few days before we arrived, it was
determined to kill the turtle and have a feast the next day.

2. Our cabin gentlemen had been long enough deprived of fresh meats to
make them cast lickerish glances towards their hard-skinned friend, and
there was a great smacking of lips the day before he was killed. As I
walked aft occasionally, I heard them congratulating themselves on their
prospective turtle soup and forcemeat balls; and one of them, to heighten
the luxury of the feast, ate nothing but a dry biscuit for the twenty-four
hours preceding, that he might be prepared to devour his full share of the
unctuous compound.

3. It was to be a gala day with them; and though it was not champagne day,
that falling on Saturday and this on Friday, they agreed to have champagne
a day in advance, that nothing should be wanting to give a finish to their
turtle. It happened to be a rougher day than usual when the turtle was
cooked, but they had become too well used to the motion of the ship to
mind that.

4. It happened to be my turn at the wheel the hour before dinner, and I