MEMOIK. 11 



up in a handkerchief, which, by-the-bye, contained a bible, a map 

 of England, a telescope, and a pocket compass ! Worthy old 

 S. lived about five years after this, and proved himself a most 

 worthy object of charity. I remained at Coombe Wood till the 

 Christmas holidays, when I returned to Eose Lodge, and this 

 was the only year that I ever was at school. 



1839, January 17. — I was appointed as volunteer first class 

 (now called Naval Cadets) to the ' Zebra,' a brig of 1 6 guns, 

 fitting out at Sheerness. A few days after I was swaggering 

 about in my uniform and dirk, and went down to join my ship. 

 Captain P. of the ' Howe ' enrolled me in the service, and taking 

 me by the arm and giving me a shake, said, "Ah, there's 

 some beef in this boy ! " This was meant as a compliment. I 

 was then examined by the schoolmaster to see if I was qualified 

 to enter. The questions were to write from dictation, " I have 

 joined H.M.S. ' Zebra,' " and this rule of three, " If one bushel 

 costs 1 Os., what will ten bushels ? " 



In February we sailed for the Mediterranean. I was ap- 

 pointed mid of the fore-top and of the jolly-boat. The first time 

 I went aloft the captain hailed me to go through the " lubber's 

 hole ; " however, I succeeded in surmounting the difficulties of 

 getting over the futtock shrouds, and at the end of my watch, 

 when I went below, the captain's steward came with a pound of 

 gingerbread " for going aloft so well." While the ' Zebra ' was 

 fitting we were hulked on board the ' Shannon,' the remains of 

 the ship which was so celebrated in the American War under 

 Captain Broke. She was a very little frigate. Captain Broke 

 was one of the first to improve the practice of naval gunnery, 



