pon him for
a yearly sum, which was more than double the amount I ought to have been
entrusted with; then coldly wishing me success, he recommended me to go
down that evening by the mail, and join my ship immediately, and wished
me a good morning.

I certainly was a little astonished at my sudden isolation in the midst
of a vast city. I felt that, from that moment, I must commence man. I
knew several persons in London, parents of my schoolfellows, but I was
too proud to parade my pride before them, for I felt, at the same time,
ashamed of wearing ostentatiously, whilst I gloried in, my uniform.

I dined at the inn where I alighted on coming to town, called for what I
wanted in a humble semi-tone, said "If you please, sir," to the waiter;
paid my bill without giving him a gratuity, for fear of giving him
offence; took my place in the mail, and got down without accident to
Chatham, and slept at the house where the coach stopped. On account of
my hybrid uniform, and my asserting myself of the navy, the people of
the establishment knew not what to make of me. I wished to deliver my
credentials immediately; but my considerate landlord advised me to take
time to think about it--and dinner. I followed his advice.

It is uncertain how long I should have remained in this uncertainty, had
not a brother midshipman, in the coffee-room, accosted me, and kindly
helped me out with my pint of port, which I thought I showed my
manliness in calling for. He did not roast me very unmercifully, but
what he spared in gibes he made up in drinking. I abstained with a
great deal of firmness from following his example: he warmly praised my
abstinence, I suppose with much sincerity, as it certainly appeared to
be a virtue which he was incapable of practising. About seven o'clock
my ready-made friend began to be more minute in his inquiries. I showed
him my introductory letter, and he told me directly at what hotel the
captain was established, and enforced upon me the necessity of
immediately waiting upon him; telling me I might think myself extremely
lucky in having had to entertain only one officer, when so many thirsty
and penniless ones were cruising about to sponge on the Johnny Raws.
For himself, he said he was a man of honour, quite a gentleman, and
insisted upon paying his share of the two bottles of port consumed, of
which I certainly had not drunk more than four glasses. Secretly
praising my man of honour for his disintereste