ate of ten and a-half knots.

Such are the incidents which happen on board single frigates; those
rattling, joyous, fly-along, Salee-rover sort of cruisers, which range
at large over the wide ocean, scour every coast, and keep the war
famously alive. A much more stately ceremonial is observed on board
fleets, whether at sea, blockading a port, or lying in harbour. The
ships of the different divisions, or squadrons, wait till the admiral
hoists at his mizen-peak the signal indicating that Divine service has
commenced, the bell is then tolled in each of the other ships, the
usual pendant is displayed, and the first article of war is complied
with, not only to the letter, but often, we may hope and trust, fully
up to the spirit. I have heard many clergymen declare that they never
beheld any congregation in which more attention and decorum prevailed
than in our ship churches.

At sea, both in fleets and on board single ships, the afternoon of
Sunday is generally a season of rest and quietness; but in harbour it
is frequently the most annoying period of the whole week. There is
nothing for the men to do, and the time hangs terribly heavy on their
hands; to which it must be added, that our ships are too often
infested by some of the vilest contaminations of the shore. Bad as
these influences are, at any time or place, I believe they may he
considered at their worst when they come afloat; so that whenever it
can possibly be done without injury to the service, portions of the
ship's company should be allowed to go on shore in turn, albeit their
proceedings when "on liberty," as they call it, are none of the most
commendable. But we must let that pass. In foreign ports, however,
this indulgence is frequently impossible; and in cases when the people
cannot be permitted to land, the different men-of-war in company are
sure to send boat-loads of visitors, or what are called "liberty men,"
on board one another's ships, to pass the afternoon of Sunday. This
practice is the very bane of good discipline, and ought at all times
to be discouraged in every way; for it almost inevitably leads to
drunkenness, rioting, and bitter heart-burnings. It has, moreover, the
effect of making the men discontented with their own ship and their
own officers. The sailors are sufficiently sharp criticisers of the
conduct of their superiors, even when they have all the facts before
them, and the power of observing closely, and from day to day. But
when