214 THE SEA. 



horse, and in his uniform of a chasseur of the guards. The road was lined with spec- 

 tators, and he was received at the entrance to Longwood by a guard under arms, who 

 rendered the prescribed honour to their illustrious captive. The place, which had been a 

 farm of the East India Company, is situated on one of the highest parts of the island, and 

 the difference between its temperature and that of the valley below is very great. It is 

 surrounded by a level height of some extent, and is near the eastern coast. It is stated 

 that continual and frequently violent winds blow regularly from the same quarter. The 

 sun was rarely seen, and there were heavy rainfalls. The water, conveyed to Longwood 

 in pipes, was found to be so unwholesome as to require boiling before it was fit for use. 

 The surroundings were barren rocks, gloomy deep valleys, and desolate gullies, the only 

 redeeming feature being a glimpse of the ocean on one hand. All this after La Belle 

 France ! 



Longwood as a residence had not much to boast of. The building was rambling and 

 inconveniently arranged; it had been built up by degrees, as the wants of its former 

 inmates had increased. One or two of the suite slept in lofts, reached by ladders and 

 trap-doors. The windows and beds were curtainless, and the furniture mean and scanty. 

 Inhospitable and in bad taste, ye in power at the time ! In front of the place, and 

 separated by a tolerably deep ravine, the 53rd Regiment was encamped in detached bodies 

 on the neighbouring heights. Here the caged lion spent the last five weary years of his 

 life till called away by the God of Battles. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



THE SERVICE. OFFICERS' LIFE ON BOARD. 



Conditions of Life on Ship-board A Model Ward-room An Admiral's Cabin -Captains and Captains The Sailor and his 

 Superior Officers A Contrast A Commander of the Old School Jack Larmour Lord Cochrane's Experiences- His 

 Chest Curtailed The Stinking Ship The First Command Shaving under Difficulties The Speedy and her Prizes 

 The Doctor On Board a Gun-boat -Cabin and Dispensary-Cockroaches and Centipedes Other horrors The 

 Naval Chaplain His Duties Stories of an Amateur The Engineer His Increasing Importance Popularity of the 

 Navy Nelson always a Model Commander The Idol of his Colleagues, Officers, and Men Taking the Men into 

 his Confidence The Action between the Bcllona and Courageux- Captain Falknor's Speech to the Crew An Obsolete 

 Custom Crossing the Line Neptune's Visit to the Quarter-deck The Navy of To-day Its Backbone Progressive 

 Increase in the Size of Vessels Naval Volunteers A Noble Movement Excellent Results The Naval Reserve. 



IN the previous pages we have given some account of the various stations visited by the Royal 

 Navy of Great Britain. Let us next take a glance at the ships themselves the quarter-deck, 

 the captain's cabin, and the ward-room. In a word, let us see how the officers of a ship 

 live, move, and have their being on board. 



Their condition depends very much on their ship, their captain, and themselves. 

 The first point may be dismissed briefly, as the general improvement in all descriptions 

 of vessels, including their interior arrangements, is too marked to need mentioning. The 

 ward-room of a modern man-of-war is often as well furnished as any other dining-room 

 handsomely carpeted, the sides adorned with pictures, with comfortable chairs and lounges, 



