demeanor in
every respect, and whose representations to the government of France
caused my sentence to be subsequently modified to simple imprisonment.

I have so many pleasant recollections of this voyage as a convict in
the Flora, that I am loth to recount the following anecdote; yet I
hardly think it ought to be omitted, for it is characteristic in a
double aspect. It exhibits at once the chivalric courtesy and the
coarse boorishness of some classes in the naval service of France, at
the period I am describing.

On board our frigate there were two Sisters of Charity, who were
returning to their parent convent in France, after five years of
colonial self-sacrifice in the pestilential marshes of Africa. These
noble women lodged in a large state-room, built expressly for their
use and comfort on the lower battery-deck, and, according to the
ship's rule, were entitled to mess with the lieutenants in their
wardroom. It so happened, that among the officers, there was one of
those vulgar dolts, whose happiness consists in making others as
uncomfortable as possible, both by bullying manners and lewd
conversation. He seemed to delight in losing no opportunity to offend
the ladies while at table, by ridiculing their calling and piety; yet,
not content with these insults, which the nuns received with silent
contempt, he grew so bold on one occasion, in the midst of dinner, as
to burst forth with a song so gross, that it would have disgraced the
orgies of a _cabaret_. The Sisters instantly arose, and, next morning,
refused their meals in the wardroom, soliciting the steward to supply
them a sailor's ration in their cabin, where they might be free from
dishonor.

But the charitable women were soon missed from mess, and when the
steward's report brought the dangerous idea of a court-martial before
the terrified imagination of the vulgarians, a prompt resolve was made
to implore pardon for the indecent officer, before the frigate's
captain could learn the outrage. It is needless to add that the
surgeon--who was appointed ambassador--easily obtained the mercy of
these charitable women, and that, henceforth, our lieutenants'
wardroom was a model of social propriety.

THE PRISON OF BREST.

I was not very curious in studying the architecture of the strong
stone lock-up, to which they conducted me in the stern and ugly old
rendezvous of Brest. I was sick as soon as I beheld it from our deck.
The entrance to the harbor, through