CHARACTERISTICS OF A BRITISH SAILOR. 12Q 



though without any ill-will, that it was only by 

 a steady and undeviating system pursued by the 

 first lieutenant, that they were brought at all 

 together with the feeling of messmates : at first, 

 though nominally in the same mess, and eating 

 at the same table, many of them would secrete 

 their allowance, with other unmanly and un- 

 sailor-like practices. This was another proof 

 added to the many I had already witnessed, 

 how greatly discipline improves the mind and 

 manners, and how much the regular service-man 

 is to be preferred for all hazardous or difficult 

 enterprises. Reciprocity of kindnesses, a gene- 

 rous and self-denying disposition, a spirit of 

 frankness, a hearty and above-board manner — 

 these are the true characteristics of the British 

 seaman ; and the want of these is seldom com- 

 pensated by other qualities. In our case, and I 

 mention this merely to show the difference of 

 olden and modern times, there were only three 

 or four in the ship who could not write. All 

 read ; some recited whole pages of poetry, others 

 sang French songs. Yet with all this, had they 

 been left to themselves, I verily believe a more 

 unsociable, suspicious, and uncomfortable set 

 of people could not have been found. Oh ! if 

 the two are incompatible, give me the old" Jack 

 Tar, who would stand up for his ship, and give 

 his life for his messmate. 



K 



