ip for officers and men, until they are
enabled to join, or are drafted to their respective ships. The
consequence is, that an incessant change is taking place,--a midshipman
sometimes not remaining on board of her for more than three days before
an opportunity offers of joining his ship. In fact, when we state that,
during the war, upwards of one thousand midshipmen were received and
sent away from a guard-ship, in the course of twelve months, we are
considerably within the mark. Now, as Mr Skrimmage always received one
guinea as entrance to the mess, and a week's subscription in advance,
and, moreover, never spent even the latter, or had his accounts
examined, it is easy to conceive what a profitable situation he had
created for himself. Mrs Skrimmage, also, was a useful helpmate: she
lived on board, at little expense, and, by her attention to the dear
little middies and their wearing apparel, who were sent on board to join
some ship for the first time, added very considerably to his profits.

Her history was as follows. It had three eras:--she had been a
lady's-maid, in town; and, in this situation, acquiring a few of the
practices of "high life," she had become something else on the town;
and, finally, Mrs Skrimmage. With a view of awing his unruly
associates into respect, Mr Skrimmage (as well as his wife) was
particularly nice in his dress and his conversation, and affected the
gentleman, as she did the lady--this generally answered pretty well; but
sometimes unpleasant circumstances would occur, to which his interest
compelled Mr Skrimmage to submit. It may be as well here to add, that,
at the end of the war, Mr Skrimmage applied for his promotion for long
service, and, obtaining it, added his purser's half-pay to the interest
of his accumulated capital, and retired from active service.

The steward and his boy entering the gun-room with two enormous black
tea-kettles, put an end to the boisterous amusement. It was the signal
for tea.

"Hurrah for Scaldchops!" cried the master tailor, rising from the game,
which was now abandoned. A regiment of cups and saucers lined the two
sides of the long table, and a general scramble ensued for seats.

"I say, Mr _Cribbage_," cried an old master's-mate, to the caterer, who
had entered shortly after the tea-kettles, and assumed his place at the
end of the table, "what sort of stuff do you call this?"

"What do you mean to imply, sir?" replied Mr Skrimmage, with a