r or
sailor who dies of a fever in a distant land--his story untold, and his
sufferings unseen. In warring against climates unsuited to his frame,
he may have encountered, in the public service, enemies often more
formidable than those who handle pike and gun. There should be nothing
left undone, therefore, at such a time, to show not only to the dying
man, but to his shipmates and his family at home, that his services are
appreciated. I remembered, on one occasion, hearing the captain of a
ship say to a poor fellow who was almost gone, that he was glad to see
him so cheerful at such a moment; and begged to know if he had anything
to say. 'I hope, sir,' said the expiring seaman with a smile, 'I have
done my duty to your satisfaction;' 'That you have, my lad,' said his
commander, 'and to the satisfaction of your country, too.' 'That is all
I wanted to know, sir,' replied the man. These few commonplace words
cost the captain not five minutes of his time, but were long recollected
with gratitude by the people under his orders, and contributed, along
with many other graceful acts of considerate attention, to fix his
authority.

"If a sailor who knows he is dying, has a captain who pleases him,
he is very likely to send a message by the surgeon to beg a visit--not
often to trouble his commander with any commission, but merely to say
something at parting. No officer, of course, would ever refuse to grant
such an interview, but it appears to me it should always be volunteered;
for many men may wish it, whose habitual respect would disincline them
to take such a liberty, even at the moment when all distinctions are
about to cease.

"Very shortly after poor Jack dies, he is prepared for his deep-sea
grave by his messmates, who, with the assistance of the sailmaker, and
in the presence of the master-at-arms, sew him up in his hammock, and,
having placed a couple of cannon-shot at his feet, they rest the body
(which now not a little resembles an Egyptian mummy) on a spare grating.
Some portion of the bedding and clothes are always made up in the
package--apparently to prevent the form being too much seen. It is then
carried aft, and, being placed across the after-hatchway, the union
jack is thrown over all. Sometimes it is placed between two of the guns,
under the half deck; bat generally, I think, he is laid where I have
mentioned, just abaft the mainmast. I should have mentioned before, that
as soon as the surgeon's ineffectua