divisions ranged along the main-deck, supposing the ship's
company so distributed, next engage the captain's attention. I think
it is usual to take that first which stands on the starboard side of
the deck, with the after-end, or its left, as military men would say,
close against the bulkhead of the captain's cabin, while the foremost
men of the division extend under the forecastle. On arriving at the
galley or kitchen, the captain is received by the cook (or as much as
may be left of him, according to the Greenwich Hospital joke), behind
whom stands his mate, generally a tall, glossy, powerful negro, who,
unlike his chief, has always a full allowance of limbs, with a round
and shining face, about as moist as one of the tubful of huge suet
puddings, tied up in bags alongside of him. The cook, aided by
"Quamino," lifts the lids off the coppers, that the captain may peer
into them, and ascertain whether or not all is clean and nice. With
the end of his wooden leg the cook then gives a twist to the cock of
the coppers, to let some of the pease-soup in preparation run off and
show itself to the noble commander's inspection. The oven-doors are
next opened, the range or large fire stirred up, and every hole and
corner exposed to view; the object of the grand visitation being to
see that this essential department of the ship is in the most perfect
state of cleanliness and good order.

Still further forward, before the galley, in the very nose of her, as
the foremost nook or angle of the ship is called, and a little on one
side, lies the sick-bay, or hospital; at the door of which the
surgeon, backed by his assistants, receives the captain and his double
the first lieutenant, and his double the mate of the main-deck. In
they march, all in a row. The captain takes care not to pass any
invalid's hammock without dropping a word of encouragement to its pale
inmate, or begging to be informed if anything further can be done to
make him comfortable. Only those men who are very unwell, however, are
found in their beds; the rest being generally seated on the chests and
boxes placed round the bay, a part of the ship which, I need scarcely
mention, is kept, if possible, more clean, airy, and tidy than any
other. If a speck of dirt be found on the deck, or a gallipot or phial
out of its place, woe betide the loblolly-boy, the assistant-surgeon's
assistant, and the constant attendant upon the hospital. This
personage is usually a fellow of