32 OUTFIT. 



" farewell," and serves to shield the heart 

 from the effects of the sorrowful anticipation 

 of a long separation. 



The determination thus taken, was 

 without reference to the fitness of my 

 capacity, either of mind or body, for 

 such a profession, or to the future fate 

 of a boy twelve years and a half old. 

 The ship being under sailing orders, I 

 was soon attired in the uniform of a mid- 

 shipman of the Royal Navy, with a cocked- 

 hat on my head, and a dirk by my side, and 

 was not a little proud of my appearance. 

 In the meantime, my kind parents were 

 busily employed in purchasing my outfit, 

 in providing me everything I did want, and 

 many things I did not want, that afterwards 

 conduced to the especial sport and jests of 

 my messmates. 



The ship I went on board, after taking 

 leave of my friends, was one of the worst 

 class of two-deckers high out of the water, 

 short, wall-sided, with a bluff bow, and a 



