e and difficult
piece of service. But if you really do not fancy it, only say so--it
is not a business that can be done well on compulsion, but must be
done cheerfully. If you have a mind to go, well and good--if not, I
must look out for some one else--but you are the man I should prefer,
if it be agreeable to you. Here is a sketch of your orders, and there
is the chart--look them over at leisure, and make your decision."

As Lord Nelson spoke these words he went on deck, leaving the poor man
bewildered at the prospect of the very employment he most desired, and
not a little ashamed of himself for having anticipated so different a
reception. The captain gratefully accepted the Admiral's offer, sailed
on the appointed service, which he executed with such diligence and
zeal, that he actually returned to the blockading fleet long within
the period he was authorized to bestow on the cruise; and there he
remained ever afterwards, performing all the drudgery of the
blockading service, not only with zeal, but with the heartiest good
humour, springing out of an anxious desire to manifest at once his
respect and his affectionate devotion to the matchless officer who had
so judiciously taught him the true path to honour.

The last thing to be done in fitting out, and before quitting the
harbour, is to turn all hands over to their proper ship, and then to
scrape, and scrub, and wash the hulk as effectually as possible,
preparatory to her being inspected by the dockyard. This duty is too
frequently executed in a negligent manner; and really it is not much
to be wondered at, for the hulks are such abominable ugly-looking
monsters, that one can take no pride or pleasure in treating them with
common decency. The commanding-officer, therefore, should be
particularly cautious in seeing this operation effectually performed;
for, if he does not, he will be sure to be called upon next day to
send a party of hands, probably at a great inconvenience, to repeat
the process.

There are, as will readily be conceived, a hundred minor points to be
thought of in the equipment of a ship, to which I have not adverted,
relating to the watching, stationing, and quartering of men and
officers; the berthing and arrangement of the people into messes; the
rules respecting their having leave to go on shore, and so on. It may
be well, however, to remind officers that they should never forget
that the mere appearance of their ship is a matter of considera