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sedentary, and did not suit the health nor the inclination of Peter 

 Crosthwaite. Nevertheless, he faithfully served his apprentice- 

 ship. 



A sea voyage having been recommended to counteract the 

 effects of long hours in an ill-ventilated workshop, he elected, with 

 his father's consent, to go to sea, and to follow a sea-faring life. 

 Governor Stephenson went from Keswick to the East Indies in 

 1707. He returned twenty years after, and resided at home for 

 forty years. He built the house in Keswick called Governor's 

 House. Possibly such an example of prosperity in the East may 

 have given an additional impulse to a youth anxious to see the 

 world, and turned his thoughts to India. He went for twelve 

 months to learn navigation, and at the age of twenty-two, having 

 letters of recommendation from Mr. Stephenson, he sailed from 

 Gravesend in April, and from Spithead in May, 1758. After a 

 voyage of nine months he reached Bombay. He was at once 

 engaged in the East India Company's service. After serving eight 

 months before the mast, he was appointed master of the Gallivat 

 " Otter," a gun vessel used by the East India Company to convoy 

 their ships while trading, and to drive off the Malay pirates. In 

 the ordinary course, seven, and sometimes even nine years, had to 

 be spent in the service before such a post could be obtained. He 

 was equal to the situation, and had the credit of discharging his 

 perilous duty with great zeal and ability. The "Grab Service," as 

 it used to be called, has become the "Indian Navy," and it now 

 opens a noble field to English seamen. Captain Thomas Fletcher, 

 who went from Myrtle Grove, has recently retired with a good 

 service pension ; and Captain John Howe, who went from Harry- 

 man Field, is now the oldest officer remaining in that service. The 

 rapid promotion of Peter Crosthwaite provoked the enmity of those 

 of the same rank, and of one or two immediately above him. The 

 friend to whom Governor Stephenson had recommended him died, 

 and on that event occurring, he was subjected to a series of 

 annoyances which, to his sensitive nature, were intolerable. He 

 bore up for some years, but ultimately, his health giving way under 

 the mortifications he endured, he determined to quit India and 



