SIR PETER PARKER. 173 



or from the Sally-port, where the different 

 captains' gigs were constantly in attend- 

 ance. 



One morning five or six of them had 

 gathered round the harbour admiral, " little 

 Billy Hargood," as the sailors called him. 

 Now, this excellent officer had studied 

 the rules of Hamilton More to greater 

 advantage than he had those of Lind- 

 ley Murray; consequently his vocabulary 

 consisted chiefly of stereotyped phrases, the 

 one most in use being, "I'll tell you 

 what it is," with which he invariably ad- 

 dressed his subordinates. I unwitting- 

 ly overheard the conversation between 

 the Admiral and Sir Peter Parker,* at 

 that time in command of one of H. M. 

 frigates, on the means he took to maintain 

 discipline among his men, which he had 

 heard through various channels. 



* This gallant officer was killed in the last American war, 

 when on shore with his men on some particular service. 

 His handsome and manly features may be recognised in the 

 hall of Greenwich Hospital. 



