as bad as our superiors and richer brethren do on shore,
neglecting the general interest to indulge our own private views, and
spirit of revenge. I thought our ship often resembled our republic in
miniature; for human nature is the same always, and only varies its
aspect from situation and circumstances.

It is now the latter end of September; the weather pretty pleasant,
but not equal to our fine Septembers and Octobers in New-England. We
are, every hour, expecting orders to quit this river, to return to our
own dear country.

CHAPTER III.

_October 2d, 1814._--We were now ordered to pick up our duds and get
all ready to embark in certain gun-brigs that had anchored along side
of us; and an hundred of us were soon put on board, and the tide
favouring, we gently drifted down the river Medway. It rained, and not
being permitted to go below, and being thinly clad, we were wet to the
skin. When the rain ceased, our commander went below, and returned, in
a short time, gaily equipped in his full uniform, cockade and dirk.
He mounted the poop, where he strutted about, sometimes viewing
himself, and now and then eyeing us, as if to see if we, too, admired
him. He was about five feet high, with broad shoulders, and portly
belly. We concluded that he would afford us some fun; but we were
mistaken; for, with the body of Dr. Slop, he bore a round, ruddy, open
and smiling countenance, expressive of good nature and urbanity. The
crew said, that although he was no seaman, _he was a man_, and a
better fellow never eat the king's bread; that they were happy under
his command; and the only dread they had was, that he, or they should
be transferred to another ship. Does not this prove that seamen can be
better governed by kindness and good humor than by the boatswain's
cat? We would ask two of our own naval commanders, B. and C. whether
they had not better try the experiment? We should be very sorry if the
infant navy of our young country, should have the character of too
much severity of discipline. To say that it is requisite is a libel on
our national character. Slavish minds alone require the lash.

On board this brig were two London mechanics, recently pressed in the
streets of the capital of the English nation--a nation that has long
boasted of its liberty and humanity. These cocknies wore long coats,
drab-coloured velvet breeches, and grey stockings. They were
constantly followed by the boatswain's mate; who often imp