224 THE SEA. 



knaves were compelled to be on hand with their fellows ; but they rarely failed to conduct 

 themselves with such indecent levity as made me rue their presence, playing covertly at 

 catVcradle, jack-straws, and what not; besides grinning familiarly in my face, whenever 

 they could contrive to catch my eye." This unseemly behaviour was as nothing to what 

 followed ashore. While addressing a large assemblage, he noted the advent of a number 

 of unmannerly fellows, who, with a great deal of clatter, elbowed their way to the front. " The 

 moment I clapped eyes upon them," says poor Primrose, "I knew them for the sailors 

 who had so persecuted me aboard the Polly, and my heart sank at the bare sight of them." 

 They sung, or rather bawled, ribald words to the music of the hymns; and one of them, 

 when rebuked by some gentleman present, whipped out his cutlass, and a general row 

 ensued, which broke up the assembly. A little later, Primrose induced a tavern-keeper to 

 allow him to preach on his premises. " A West Indian vessel coming into port about the 

 middle of April, and a horde of roystering sailors gathering in the common room of the 

 ' Sailor's Rest ' to drink, I announced a discourse on the subject of ' gin-guzzling/ 

 choosing one that I had delivered aboard the Polly, and which seemed to fit the occasion 

 to a nicety. No sooner had the landlord seen the notice to this effect that I had attached 

 to his door-cheek, than he sends for me to repair to the tavern without loss of time; 

 and on my appearance, in great haste, comes blustering up to me in a most offensive 

 manner, demanding whether I purposed the ruin of his trade, by putting forth of such a 

 mischievous paper; adding, with astounding audacity, that he should certainly lose all 

 the custom I had been the means of fetching to his house, did I persist in my intent. 

 Mark the cunning of the knave ! He had encouraged my labours for none other purpose 

 than the bringing of fresh grist to his mill; and here was I, blindly leading precious 

 souls to destruction, the poor dupe of a specious villain a wretch without bowels ! My 

 agony of mind on being thus suddenly enlightened was of such a desperate sort, that, 

 gnashing my teeth, I leapt upon the miscreant, and, bearing him to the ground with an 

 awful crash, beat him about the head and shoulders with the stout cane I carried; and 

 with such good will, that I presently found myself lying in the town gaol, covered with 

 the blood of my enemy, and every bone in my body aching from the unaccustomed exercise. 

 . . . . Truly was I as forlorn and friendless a creature as the world ever saw. My 

 clothing had been rent beyond repair in the shameful struggle, and, yet worse, one of my 

 shoes was gone how and where I knew not; and although I promised the gaoler's little 

 lad a penny in the event of his finding it, nothing was ever heard of it from that day to 

 this. One thought alone cheered me in the dark abyss into which I was fallen. I had 

 administered wholesome and righteous correction in proper season : hip and thigh had I 

 hewed my enemy; and, to reflect upon that, was as a healing balm to my sore bones." 

 Mr. Primrose was at length released, and returned to England. 



Another officer of the Royal Navy the engineer deserves particular notice, for his 

 position is becoming daily of more and more importance. It is not merely the care and 

 working of the engines which propel the vessel in which he is concerned ; the chief and 

 his subordinates have charge of various hydraulic arrangements often used now-a-days on 

 large vessels, in connection with the steering apparatus; of electrical and gas-producing 

 apparatus; the mechanical arrangements of turrets and gun-carriages; pumping machinery; 



