326 Notice of Sketches of Naval Life. 
“The captain is an officer, so high in tignity and rank, ot 
he ought not even to show himsel! often to vulgar eyes ; 
those, it is said, who succeed best, confine themselves tidal to 
their cabins. He, consequently, seldom interferes with the ac- 
tive duties of the ship: his orders are given, generally, to the 
first lieutenant, or through a midshipman, to the officer of the 
deck; and, though Near a a close scrutiny over every part, 
it ei without appearing to do 
* Such is this officer, in the abi: but he has other, and much 
higher duties; and these should never be lost sight of, in eed 
our estimate of his character. The other officers feel them 
other ships; between his own nation and other nations. In ofh- 
cial aes ih abroad, he, of course, appears, and his character 
gives a tone to all such proceedings. ‘To fit him for this, re- 
quires an saideitiblabis of >a at seldom ‘fo und in one man—a 
i nde 
a come now to the cother: ers. The first aeeinanot has 
the actual superintendence of the ship. "He is the oldest* lieu- 
tenant on board, and on his character, that of the ship very nines 
n 
but murmurs, if any, are silent ones. He can even thwart the 
captain, and ‘often does so, while his actions have the semblance 
of obedience. He ought to be a man, ready and prudent; not 
apr but decisive ; and above all, well skilled in all the duties 
of aship. In times ‘of danger, he takes the trumpet; as he does 
also in getting under way and coming to anchor; but, in all other 
rights: gives permission to leave the ship, when for the day 
only: signs od sy on nthe store rooms; and, when the captain is 
absent, is commander of the ship. 
“% To a frigate of this class, there are five more lieutenants, 
each taking rank according to his date.” 
We will venture to add, that besides such a share of Jite- 
rature, as shall give to his common intercourse, and especial- 
ly to his official returns, the lustre of perspicuity, correctness 
aad ae taste, he ought to possess a share of science. No 
* In official age. 
