utely requisite, and not at all
sinful. There is one language for the pulpit, and another for on board
ship, and, in either situation, a man must make use of those terms most
likely to produce the necessary effect upon his listeners. Certain it
is that common parlancy won't do with a common seaman. It is not here
as in the Scriptures, `Do this, and he doeth it,' (by-the-by, that chap
must have had his soldiers in tight order); but it is `Do this, damn
your eyes,' and then it is done directly. The order to _do_ just
carries the weight of a cannon shot, but it wants the perpelling power--
the damn is the gunpowder which sets it flying in the execution of its
duty. Do you comprehend me, Mr Simple?"

"I perfectly understand you, Mr Chucks, and I cannot help remarking,
and that without flattery, that you are very different from the rest of
the warrant officers. Where did you receive your education?"

"Mr Simple, I am here a boatswain with a clean shirt, and, I say it
myself, and no one dare gainsay it, also with a thorough knowledge of my
duty. But although I do not say that I ever was better off, I can say
this, that I've been in the best society, in the company of lords and
ladies. I once dined with your grandfather."

"That's more than ever I did, for he never asked me, nor took the least
notice of me," replied I.

"What I state is true. I did not know that he was your grandfather
until yesterday, when I was talking with Mr O'Brien; but I perfectly
recollect him, although I was very young at that time. Now, Mr Simple,
if you will promise me as a gentleman (and I know you are one), that you
will not repeat what I tell you, then I'll let you into the history of
my life."

"Mr Chucks, as I am a gentleman I never will divulge it until you are
dead and buried, and not then if you do not wish it."

Mr Chucks then sat down upon the fore-end of the booms by the funnel,
and I took my place by his side, when he commenced as follows:--

"My father was a boatswain before me--one of the old school, rough as a
bear, and drunken as a Gosport fiddler. My mother was--my mother, and I
shall say no more. My father was invalided for harbour duty after a
life of intoxication, and died shortly afterwards. In the meantime I
had been, by the kindness of the port-admiral's wife, educated at a
foundation school. I was thirteen when my father died, and my mother,
not knowing what to do with me, wished to bind me apprentice to a