260 INFLUENCE OF THE BRAIN ON HEALTH. 



attention was bestowed by the enlightened com- 

 manders to keep up a healthful vivacity of intellect 

 and feeling among their men, by constant occupation, 

 intellectual instruction, the representation of plays, 

 masquerades, and other amusing and exciting exer- 

 tions ; and there cannot be a doubt, that their re- 

 markable immunity from disease was in no small 

 degree owing to these admirable arrangements : and 

 hence the immense importance which attaches to 

 the selection of a humane and considerate as well 

 as scientific commander. 



In the second volume of Captain Basil Hall's first 

 series of Fragments of Voyages and Travels, the 

 reader will find a chapter on " The Effects of being 

 well commanded" which illustrates, very amusingly, 

 many of the principles explained in the preceding 

 pages. " People," he says, " who have no acquaint- 

 ance with the intricacies of naval discipline can 

 scarcely comprehend how vast a difference is made 

 in the efficiency of a man-of-war by the character 

 of the commander." "Early in the year 1805, we 

 were made abundantly sensible of the truth of this 

 remark, by an important change which took place 

 in the highest office on board. From a state of lan- 

 guid inefficiency, we started in a single moment 

 into the most vigorous activity, and from being 

 almost the laughing-stock of the fleet, for the clum- 

 siness of our gait, and the want of success which 

 attended our cumbrous exertions, we soon out- 

 stripped them all, not only in the activity, but in the 

 useful result of our services." (p. 2.) 



The new captain was a man who knew his pro- 

 fession, and possessed that decision of character 

 which makes its weight instinctively felt. Between 

 certain disgrace and punishment to offenders, and 

 " high favour to those who took pains to do right, 

 the ship was speedily brought into proper trim. 

 Every thing now seemed alive, and moved smartly ; 

 K> time ran to waste ; even the indolent and the ill- 



