Moby Dick pg40

"Ah, poor hay-seed! How bitterly will burst those strap in the first howling gale.."
The people of whaling believe that there is no other work as hard as whaling itself. This is much like religion where people believe that their religion is correct and better than others. Later in the chapter is goes to say that whaling towns are filled with beautiful and plentiful flower and woman as if a heaven for all whaling town are better than normal towns.