st, second, and third
magnitude. I loved them all more or less; but all, their charms
vanished, when the beauteous Emily shone in my breast with refulgent
light.

I had received letters from my father, who wished me to come home, that
he might present me to some of the great men of the nation, and secure
my promotion to the highest ranks of the service. This advice was good,
and, as it suited my views, I followed it. I parted with my captain on
the best terms, took leave of all my mess-mates and the officers in the
same friendly manner; and last, not least, went round to the ladies,
kissing, hugging, crying, and swearing love and eternal attachment.
Nothing I declared, should keep me from Halifax, as soon as I had
passed; nothing prevent my marrying one, as soon as I was a lieutenant;
a second was to have the connubial knot tied when I was a commander; and
a third, as soon as I was made a captain. Oh, how like was I to Don
Galaor! Oh, how unlike the constant Amadis de Gaul! But, reader, you
must take me as I was, not as I ought to have been.

After a passage of six weeks, I arrived at Plymouth, and had exactly
completed my six years' servitude.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

Examine him closely, goodman Dry; spare him not. Ask him impossible
questions. Let us thwart him, let us thwart him.

BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER.

Soon after my arrival at Plymouth, notice was given by a general order,
issued from the flag-ship, that a passing day for the examination of
midshipmen, as touching their qualifications for the rank of lieutenant,
would be held on board the _Salvador del Mundo_, in Hamoaze. I lost no
time in acquainting my father with this, and telling him that I felt
quite prepared, and meant to offer myself. Accordingly, on the day
appointed, your humble servant, with some fourteen or fifteen other
youthful aspirants, assembled on board the flag-ship. Each was dressed
out in his Number One suit, in most exact and unquizzable uniform, with
a large bundle of log-books under our arms. We were all huddled
together in a small screened canvas cabin, like so many sheep ready for
slaughter.

About eleven o'clock, the captains who were to be our Minos and our
Rhadamanthus made their appearance, and we all agreed that we did not
much like the "cut of their jibs." At twelve o'clock the first name was
called. The "desperate youth" tried to pluck up a little courage--he
cleared his throat, pulled up his shirt-collar,