are what the
seamen vulgarly call rogue's yarns, so called because one or more are
twisted in large ropes and cables made in the King's dockyards, to
distinguish them from those made in the merchants' yards, and should they
be embezzled or clandestinely sold, the rogue's or white yarn is evidence
against the possessor. I had been some months on shore when I began to get
tired of looking at green fields and grass combers, and longed to be once
more on the salt seas. My family had increased to seven boys and girls,
and I thought it criminal to be longer idle, and, after many applications,
Mr. Yorke, the First Lord of the Admiralty, favoured me with an
appointment to command a sloop of war on the Downs station.

I joined her in the cold, uncomfortable month of December. The weather was
remarkably severe, and it was five days before I could get a launch to put
me on board her. At length I made my footing on the quarter-deck. The
first lieutenant received me and informed me the captain was unwell in the
cabin, but that he wished to see me. I descended into a complete den,
filled with smoke and dirt. The first object I perceived looming through
the dense vapour was the captain's nose, which was a dingy red. His linen
was the colour of chocolate, his beard had, I presumed, a month's growth.
I informed him of my errand, to which he answered with something like a
growl. As it was impossible to remain in the cabin without a chance of
being suffocated, I begged him, if he possibly could, to accompany me to
the quarter-deck. He followed me with a slow step. I expressed my wish to
have my commission read. He then gave orders to the first lieutenant to
turn the hands up. After this ceremony I took the command, made a short
speech to the crew, in which I assured them they should have every
indulgence the Service afforded. I then turned to my predecessor, and
asked him when he wished to leave the ship. He informed me that to-morrow
would suit him. I gave the necessary orders and went on shore. The
admiral, Sir G. Campbell, received me very kindly, and invited me to
dinner, where I met Lady C., the admiral's wife, a ladylike, pleasant
person. The dinner party consisted of brother officers. The admiral was a
quiet, gentlemanly, pleasing man, and a distinguished and good officer. As
I sat next him he was kind enough to inform me that the captain of the
sloop I superseded was considered out of his mind, that the officers had
represented to