and Tom Cringle's Log. But of matters connected with the shore
Mr. Brewster is as ignorant as a child unborn. He holds all landsmen
but ship-builders, owners, and riggers, in supreme contempt, and can
hardly conceive of the existence of happiness, in places so far inland
that the sea breeze does not blow. A severe and exacting officer is
he, but yet a favorite with the men--for he is always first in any
emergency or danger, his lion-like voice sounding loud above the roar
of the elements, cheering the crew to their duty, and setting the
example with his own hands. He is rather inclined to be irritable
toward those who have gained the quarter-deck by the way of the
cabin-windows, but, on the whole, I shall set him down in the list of
good fellows.

That swarthy, curl-pated youngster, in full gala dress for the
theatre, drawing on his gloves, and hurrying Mr. Stewart, is, dear
reader, your most humble, devoted, and obedient servant, Frank Byrne,
_alias_, myself, _alias_, the ship's cousin, _alias_, the son of the
ship's owner. Supposing, of course, that you believe in Mesmerism and
clairvoyance, I shall not stop to explain how I have been able to
point out the Gentile to you, while you were standing on the bastion
of St. Elmo, and I all the while in the cabin of the good ship,
dressing for the theatre, and eating my supper, but shall immediately
proceed to inform you how I came there, to welcome you on board, and
to wish you a pleasant cruise with us.

About two years ago, (I am speaking of the 25th of March, A. D. 1839,
in the present tense,) I succeeded in persuading my father to gratify
my predilection for the sea, by putting me on board of the Gentile,
under the particular care of Captain Smith, to try one voyage--so I
became the ship's cousin. Contrary to the predictions of my friends,
I returned determined to go again, and to become a sailor. Now a
ship's cousin's berth is not always an enviable one, notwithstanding
the consanguinity of its occupant to the planks beneath him, for he,
usually feeling the importance of the relationship, is hated by
officers and men, who annoy him in every possible way. But my case was
an exception to the general rule. Although at the first I was
intimately acquainted with each of the officers, I never presumed upon
it, but always did my duty cheerfully and respectfully, and tried hard
to learn to be a good seaman. As my father allowed me plenty of
spending money, I could well affor