RELIGION'. 169 



and dissolute habits of our sailors, it 

 is quite certain it did not always meet 

 with the approbation or the necessary 

 attention of captains and officers in 

 command, who pretty well knew what 

 sort of stuff their men were made 

 of. 



Innovations whether good or bad are 

 generally introduced by the few, and 

 always looked upon with a jaundiced eye 

 by the many, and it is possible that the 

 majority of the profession did not or would 

 not appreciate the solicitude Lord Gambier 

 had for the spiritual welfare of those " who 

 go down to the sea in ships and occupy 

 their business in the great waters." And 

 experience tells us 'tis a much easier task to 

 dispel the doubts and establish the faith of 

 a parish tea-party, than it is to evangelize 

 a ship's company. 



Nevertheless it must be admitted, either 

 from this cause or some other, a great im- 

 provement has taken place in the general 



