out of the front door, and joined the men who were
lolling against the gunnel of a galley hauled up on the shingle.

During the period of which I am speaking, I continued every day to add
to my knowledge of my profession, and eventually I was competent to pass
my examination at the Trinity House. When I went on board a vessel with
Bramble, he would often give me charge of her, never interfering with me
(although he watched me carefully) unless he considered that it was
absolutely necessary, which I believe took place but twice. He used to
tell the masters of the vessels that I was quite as good a pilot as he
was, which certainly was not quite correct; however, it was of great
consequence to me, as it gave me that confidence so necessary in my
profession, and in due time I passed for a river pilot at the Trinity
House. Some alteration occurred at the hospital during this interval.
Anderson had been promoted from boatswain of the ward to inspecting
boatswain, a place of trust, with very comfortable emoluments, his
weekly allowance being increased to five shillings; and on his promotion
my father was made a boatswain's mate of the Warriors' Ward. This was at
first satisfactory to my mother, who was pleased that my father should
wear lace upon his pensioner's coat; but, as she advanced in the world,
she did not like the idea of my father being in the hospital, nor did
she want him to be at her house--in fact, she could have done better
without him; but as that could not be she made the best of it. It must
be acknowledged that my father's boisterous and rude manner had been
softening down ever since he had been in the hospital, and that he had
become a very well-behaved, quiet, and sober person, and was very
respectable in his appearance; but I shall say more about him when I
talk of my mother again. Old Nanny went on much as usual, but on the
whole she improved. I used to pick up for her anything I could, and put
it in a large bag which I occasionally brought to Greenwich, and this
bag, with its multifarious contents, would give her more pleasure than
if I had brought her any single object more valuable. Old Anderson used
to call upon her occasionally, but he did not do her much good. She
appeared to think of hardly anything but getting money. She was always
glad to see me, and I believe thought more of me than anybody else in
the world, and I seldom failed to pay her a visit on the first day of my
arrival.

Dr. Tadpole an