hts of man: but the fact, in few words, is simply
this. In promulgating your philosophy, in the short space of two days,
I have been robbed of the fish I caught, and my rod and line--I have
been soused into a fish-pond--I have been frightened out of my wits by a
bull-dog--been nearly killed by a bull--been stung to death by bees, and
twice tumbled into a well. Now, if all that happens in two days, what
must I expect to suffer in a whole year? It appears to be very unwise
to attempt making further converts, for people on shore seem determined
not to listen to reason or argument. But it has occurred to me, that
although the whole earth has been so nefariously divided among the few,
that the waters at least are the property of all. No man claims his
share of the sea--every one may there plough as he pleases, without
being taken up for a trespasser. Even war makes no difference; every
one may go on as he pleases, and if they meet, it is nothing but a
neutral ground on which the parties contend. It is, then, only upon the
ocean that I am likely to find that equality and rights of man, which we
are so anxious to establish on shore; and therefore I have resolved not
to go to school again, which I detest, but to go to sea, and propagate
our opinions as much as I can."

"I cannot listen to that, Jack. In the first place, you must return to
school; in the next place, you shall not go to sea."

"Then, father, all I have to say is, that I swear by the rights of man I
will not go back to school, and that I will go to sea. Who and what is
to prevent me? Was not I born my own master?--has any one a right to
dictate to me as if I were not his equal? Have I not as much right to
my share of the sea as any other mortal? I stand upon perfect
equality," continued Jack, stamping his right foot on the floor.

What had Mr Easy to offer in reply? He must either, as a philosopher,
have sacrificed his hypothesis, or, as a father, have sacrificed his
son. Like all philosophers, he preferred what he considered as the less
important of the two, he sacrificed _his_ son; but--we will do him
justice--he did it with a sigh.

"Jack, you shall, if you wish it, go to sea."

"That, of course," replied Jack, with the air of a conqueror, "but the
question is, with whom? Now it has occurred to me that Captain Wilson
has just been appointed to a ship, and I should like to sail with him."

"I will write to him," said Mr Easy mournfully, "but