ADVENTURES OF A NAVAL OFFICER. 253 



At this time my brother-in-law, an old lieutenant, was appointed 

 to one of the Falmouth packets, that a short time before had been 

 taken from the Post-office and put into the hands of government. 

 This my father thought a good opportunity to sicken me of the sea, 

 by sending me a voyage to South America. I was therefore taken 

 from school, and so far my point was gained. Now came the happy 

 time the happiest, in my opinion, of a man's life the preparation, 

 the fitting-out for our entrance into the world. At that happy time 

 we look upon the world as upon a kaliedescope, a map of beauty lies 

 before us innocent of all guile we know no care confidant of suc- 

 cess, we laugh at the warning voice of experience, that tells us to be- 

 ware. Intent upon pleasure, loving every body and every thing, we 

 boldly launch our little bark, and happy is he who falls in with a 

 pilot to save him from the hidden dangers of a deceitful world. My 

 preparations commenced ; the tailors were put in requisition ; my 

 orders were given in number and tone worthy of an embryo can- 

 didate for the quarter-deck. " Let my jackets be made exactly to 

 fit." " Yes, sir." " And be sure not to forget pockets in the sides, 

 like a sailor, because I am a sailor now you know." " Certainly." 

 At last they were dismissed to their labours. My poor father smiled, 

 though he was not happy at these juvenile nights. My sisters were 

 hard at work making pincushions and needle-cases in the different 

 shapes of hearts and books, for remembrances ; and an old servant, 

 who had been my nurse, brought me a little silk bag, filled with 

 camphor, that I was to be sure and keep always round my neck, as 

 I should never have a fever while I wore it. Then came the sove- 

 reign of all sovereign charms, old Mrs. Wilson, the housekeeper, 

 brought me a child's caul. 



" Be sure, Master George, you take care of it ; for your ship will 

 never sink while you have it on board." 



At last, all was ready, and joy was turned into temporary grief at 

 the thought of leaving " Home and my comrades dear/" The plea- 

 sure and bustle of fitting out, had made me believe it was as pleasant 

 to leave home as to quit a tyrannical school master ; but whew the time 

 arrived^ I found my mistake. I felt happy at the idea of seeing 

 foreign countries, manners, and customs ; but home, sweet home, 

 how is it possible at any age, but particularly in youth, for the first 

 time to leave thee without a tear ? The last good night (I was to 

 start early next morning) was a melancholy one ; and there were few 

 dry eyes, though all tried to smile ; but it was one of those attempts 

 at mirth that makes melancholy more apparent. Even the old dog, 

 Brutus, seemed to understand what was going on ; he howled as he 

 shifted his position on the rug that had been his customary lounge 

 for twenty years. I went to bed, but not immediately to sleep ; I 

 considered I was about to leave home for three years ; that numbers 

 would be dead before I returned ; and that, perhaps, I should never 

 return ; and then I cried ; and then I fell asleep ; and then Queen 

 Mab played her pranks, presenting to my view all sorts of confusion ; 

 I was in a ship just about to be swallowed up by the waves I saw 

 my father on shore, in all the agony of despair, unable to save me. 

 (C A change came o'er the spirit of my dream," and I was an admiral, 



M.M. No. 105. 2 L 



