nautical profession. It is
an amusement of the greatest importance to the country; as it has much
improved our ship-building and our ship-fitting, while it affords
employment to our seamen and shipwrights. But if I were to say all that
I could say in praise of yachts, I should never advance with my
narrative. I shall therefore drink a bumper to the health of Admiral
Lord Yarborough and the Yacht Club, and proceed.

You observe that this yacht is cutter-rigged, and that she sits
gracefully on the smooth water. She is just heaving up her anchor; her
foresail is loose, all ready to cast her--in a few minutes she will be
under weigh. You see that there are some ladies sitting at the taffrail;
and there are five haunches of venison hanging over the stern. Of all
amusements, give me yachting. But we must go on board. The deck, you
observe, is of narrow deal planks as white as snow; the guns are of
polished brass; the bitts and binnacles of mahogany; she is painted with
taste; and all the mouldings are gilded. There is nothing wanting; and
yet how clear and unencumbered are her decks! Let us go below. This is
the ladies' cabin: can anything be more tasteful or elegant? is it not
luxurious? and, although so small, does not its very confined space
astonish you, when you view so many comforts so beautifully arranged?
This is the dining-room, and where the gentlemen repair. What can be
more complete or _recherche_? and just peep into their state-rooms and
bed-places. Here is the steward's room and the beaufet: the steward is
squeezing lemons for the punch, and there is the champagne in ice; and
by the side of the pail the long-corks are ranged up, all ready. Now,
let us go forwards: here are the men's berths, not confined as in a
man-of-war. No! luxury starts from abaft, and is not wholly lost, even
at the fore-peak. This is the kitchen: is it not admirably arranged?
What a _multum in parvo_! And how delightful are the fumes of the
turtle-soup! At sea we do meet with rough weather at times; but, for
roughing it out, give me a _yacht_. Now that I have shown you round the
vessel, I must introduce the parties on board.

You observe that florid, handsome man in white trousers and blue jacket,
who has a telescope in one hand, and is sipping a glass of brandy and
water which he has just taken off the skylight. That is the owner of the
vessel, and a member of the Yacht Club. It is Lord B--: he looks like a
sailor, and he does not much