buttons of huge dimensions. Behind these worthy personages, who seldom
look much at home in their finery, stands the master-at-arms, in front
of his troop of troublesome small fry, known by the name of the ship's
boys, destined in good time to be sailors, and perhaps amongst the
best and truest that we ever number in our crews.

In this way, in short, it is a most important, and almost an
imperative duty, on the officers of every man-of-war, to ascertain, by
actual investigation, how far their people are entitled to the ratings
they claim. If we do not see to this, we are perpetually misapplying
the resources of the nation, by mistaking their true quality.

I should have mentioned, that before leaving the upper deck the
captain proceeds to inspect the marines, who are drawn up across or
along the quarter-deck abaft. Most captains think it both judicious
and kind to visit the marines first, and I have never seen this
practice adopted without manifest advantage. The marines are excellent
fellows, well-trained, hardy, cheerful, duly respecting themselves,
and proud of their service: while, from belonging to a fixed corps,
and from not being liable to be perpetually disbanded and scattered,
they acquire a permanent interest, or an inherent _esprit de corps_,
as well as a permanent footing in the Navy. In like manner, the marine
officers constitute one of the most gentleman-like bodies of men in
the King's service. They are thoroughly imbued with all the high
sentiments of honour belonging to the military character; and they
possess, moreover, in a very pleasant degree, the freedom of manner
and versatility of habits peculiar to those who go down to the sea in
ships.

The utility of this important body of men on board a man-of-war is so
great, that it becomes the duty of every lover of the profession to
support all its ranks and classes, and to render their situation when
afloat one of respectability, happiness, and contentment. In speaking
of the utility of the jolly marines, as they are kindly enough called
by the sailors, who, in spite of all their quizzing, really esteem
their pipe-clayed shipmates, I refer less to their services in action,
than to their inestimable value in sustaining the internal discipline
of the service. The manner in which this is brought about forms one of
the most interesting peculiarities in the whole range of naval
affairs; but it deserves to be treated of separately, and at length.

The two