142 LAW. 



learning from a high quarter that, hav- 

 ing received rny discharge, the time I had 

 already served would not be allowed when 

 I should attempt to -pass for a lieutenant, 

 the idea was abandoned ; and the gentleman, 

 who had some interest at the Admiralty, 

 and had kindly exerted it for me, ob- 

 serving my predilection for the Navy, 

 offered to procure me a commission in 

 the Royal Marines. But I had, as a 

 midshipman, foolishly imbibed the dislike 

 to that corps that had long existed in 

 the cockpit; therefore, I immediately de- 

 clined the offer. 



Would I go back to the law ? My va- 

 cancy had long been filled up, and I could 

 fancy no other master neither had I any 

 affection for the profession. Another thing, 

 and that which mainly contributed to my 

 remaining at home, was the loss of my elder 

 brother. I had now become the eldest 

 son; consequently my parents did not 

 promote any plan that would require a 



