THE SUPERB. 197 



incapacity, was the resignation of the first 

 lord of the Admiralty.* 



At this time my friend was a lieu- 

 tenant of the " Superb," seventy-four 

 commanded by Sir Richard G. Keats 

 just then returned from foreign service 

 to be paid off. It being the time of 

 the jubilee, when old King George en- 

 tered the fiftieth anniversary of his as- 

 cending the throne of these realms, the 

 officers gave a grand ball and supper to 

 others of their own rank then in port. 

 I received an invitation from my old 

 shipmate, and was, I believe, with a few 

 exceptions from the dockyard officials, 

 the only civilian there. 



I had dined at my friend's house at 

 an early hour, and had acquainted him 

 with my engagements. Accordingly I 

 left him early, and proceeded to the 

 Point, intending to hire a wherry to 



* The Hon. Charles Yorke. 



