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He must have been a quaint spectacle to the Lowestoft fishermen, for Posh
assures me that he always went to sea in a silk hat, and generally wore a
"cross-over," or a lady's boa, round his neck. Now a silk hat and a
lady's boa aboard a longshore punt would be about as incongruous as a
court suit in a shooting field. But FitzGerald was not vain enough to be
self-conscious. He knew when he was comfortable, and that was enough for
his healthy intelligence. Why should he care for the foolish trifles of
convention? So to sea he went, top hat and all. And a good and hardy
sailor man he was, as all who remember his ways afloat will testify.

Shortly before or after his visit to Lowestoft in the spring of 1866
FitzGerald wrote to Posh:--

"MARKETHILL, WOODBRIDGE,
"Saturday.

"MY GOOD FELLOW,

"When I came in from my Boat yesterday I found your Hamper of Fish.
Mr. Manby has his conger Eel: I gave the Codling to a young Gentleman
in his ninetieth year: the Plaice we have eaten here--very good--and
the Skaite I have just sent in my Boat to Newson. I should have gone
down myself, but that it set in for rain; but, at the same time, I did
not wish to let the Fish miss his mark. Newson was here two days ago,
well and jolly; his Smack had a good Thing on the Ship-wash lately;
and altogether they have done pretty well this Winter. He is about
beginning to paint my Great Ship.

"I had your letter about Nets and Dan. You must not pretend you can't
write as good a Letter as a man needs to write, or to read. I suppose
the Nets were cheap if good; and I should be sorry you had not bought
more, but that, when you have got a Fleet for alongshore fishing, then
you will forsake them for some Lugger; and then I shall have to find
another Posh to dabble about, and smoke a pipe, with. George Howe's
Schooner ran down the Slips into the Water yesterday, just as I was in
time to see her Masts slipping along. In the Evening she bent a new
Main-sail. I doubt she will turn out a dear Bargain, after all, as
such Bargains are sure to.

"I was looking at the Whaleboat I told you of, but Mr. Manby thinks
she would . . . you propose.

"Here is a long Yarn; but to-morrow is Sunday; so you can take it
easy. And so 'Fare ye well.'

"EDWARD FITZGERALD."

The boat referred to in this letter was probably a small craft in which
FitzGerald had been in