IN THE TIME OF PEACE. 255 



difficulty of promotion, that my father mentioned j why why ." 

 This was certainly a hard question, and what we sailors call tf a 

 pauler ;" but I was young, and decided at once, by considering there 

 was to be something particular about my adventures, " Ah ! I am 

 sure I shall be promoted." After having come to this logical con- 

 clusion, I felt perfectly satisfied, and rose for the purpose of " freshen- 

 ing the postillion's hawse;" but soon seated myself, upon the en- 

 trance of my landlady with tea and toast, which I managed to discuss 

 with tolerable facility, though I had breakfasted but two hours be- 

 fore ; but it has been well remarked that " though God may turn a 

 midshipman's heart, the devil can't turn his stomach." 

 " The horses are waiting, sir." 



" Very well I will be with you directly." So ringing the bell, I 

 pulled out my purse and as if by accident, spilt the contents on the 

 table that the landlord might have a high opinion of my riches. 

 " Well, what's to pay ?" 



" Oh ! nothing sir, your father will settle that when he comes this 

 way, and I dare say you have little money enough." This sadly 

 hurt my dignity, so I thought it necessary to inform him that he was 

 mistaken, that I had ten pounds, besides some silver, as I am not a 

 school-boy now, but an officer in the navy ; I am to pay for myself. 



" I beg your pardon/' said the landlord, smothering a laugh arid 

 making a most comical countenance, which I mistook for wonder at 

 my riches and approbation of my speech. After this important 

 affair was settled, I got into the post-chaise. The case was now al- 

 tered, the postillion could not drive fast enough to please me I was 

 continually thrusting my head out of the window to urge him on. 

 At last we stopped at the Sun hotel, Chatham, the landlord of which 

 had been prepared for my arrival by my brother, and on my in- 

 quiring for the lodgings of Lieutenant W of the C , I was 



informed that he had left Chatham for Maidstone, about six miles off, 

 and would not return till the next morning. I had, therefore, till 

 that time to amuse myself, nor did I find any great difficulty in passing 

 it away. New epaulettes gracing the shoulders of new made lieu- 

 tenants, stately post-captains with a look of importance peculiar to that 

 exalted rank, upright soldiers in coats of glaring red, looking straight- 

 forward, always turning their body with their head, for fear of dis- 

 ordering the dress that cost them so much pains and midshipmen 

 always walking at their utmost speed, as if charged with the most 

 important dispatch, for this useful class of officers is always in a hurry, 

 cannot be stopped for the world, should you attempt to detain him 

 to speak, he hurries you on, and to the very natural question of 

 " Where are you going in such haste ?" The same reply is always 

 made " Oh ! I don't know, only on a cruise, bear a-hand." Indeed, 

 so uncertain are the wanderings of these Tyro's, that it has become 

 quite proverbial "a midshipman's cruise, there and back again." 



The next morning my brother-in-law called. My traps were soon 

 shipped on board, and after a most pleasant passage of three days 

 we anchored in Fal mouth harbour to take in the mails for South 

 America. At this time I was too young to make many observations 

 on the beauty of this delightful little harbour, and as I shall have oc- 



