l supplied, and in a state always
ready for action. Overlooking nothing connected with the interest of his
crews, he established a naval hospital at Madras, a measure fraught with
economy to the country, and advantage to the service.

As an Admiral, not less than as a Captain, Sir Edward interested himself
in the welfare and comfort of every man under his command; but the
clamour of that false humanity which is one of the most prominent vices
of the present day would never influence him. He knew that, even in the
best ordered ships, punishment may be sometimes necessary as an extreme
alternative, though the exercise of it demands great discretion. Too
many will be found, especially during a war, when it is impossible to
inquire into the character of those who come into the service, who are
callous to every better motive; and with reference to such, we must
respect the humanity more than the judgment of those who would
substitute privations injurious to health, for the pain of the lash, and
studied indignities for the shame of it. Little consideration can be
claimed for that pretended sense of honour, which is sensitive to the
shame of punishment, but callous to the degradation of crime. The
experience of every good officer will bear out the assertions, that a
strict commander is always the most popular; that the orderly system of
a well regulated ship, in which every man knows his duty, and performs
it without being teasingly interfered with, affords the best security
against offences; and that when an offence has been committed, the
ship's company, and even the culprit himself, will respect the captain
who patiently investigates the fault, and dispassionately orders the
deserved punishment.

But on the other hand, except in particular cases, as where a ship has
been manned by drafts from the fleet; in other words, by receiving the
skulkers and incorrigibles, whom every captain desires to get rid of,
frequency of punishment is the most certain proof of unsatisfactory
discipline. Either there will be a laxity which encourages by the
prospect of impunity, or else a want of system, in which the caprice of
the officer is the rule for the moment, and the men can never fall into
regular habits. Sir Edward's observation had taught him, that while the
power to punish can be entrusted only to the discretion of the
commander, it is right, on every ground, that it should be exercised
under some check. Accordingly, soon after he w