Reflective, Philosophical

The narrator reflects on the dignity of whaling, connecting the anointing of kings at their coronation with whale oil, highlighting its noble uses and the whalemen's role in royal ceremonies.

In this reflective chapter, the narrator addresses the reader directly to underline the substance and dignity inherent in the whaling profession. He speaks about facts and surmises in advocacy and moves on to the crowning ceremony of kings and queens, where a regal ritual of anointment takes place. The chapter takes an unexpected turn by drawing an analogy between the anointment of royal heads and the oiling of machinery, suggesting such practices enhance functionality. The narrator dismisses familiar oils and instead proposes that sperm whale oil, pure and sweet, must be the substance that is used to anoint monarchs. Thus, concluding with a patriotic node, the narrator connects the work of whalemen to the royalty, elevating the significance of whaling to national pride.