those
stirring times, and bore the reputation of a dashing naval officer. At
the advanced age of eighty, he retained all his original ignorance and
vulgarity; and was never admitted into the society which his rank in the
service entitled him to claim.

The restless activity which in the vigour of manhood had rendered him a
useful and enterprising seaman, was now displayed in the most ridiculous
interference in his own domestic affairs, and those of his neighbours.
With a great deal of low cunning, he mingled the most insatiable
curiosity; while his habits were so penurious, that he would stoop to
any meanness to gain a trifling pecuniary advantage for himself or his
family.

He speculated largely in old ropes, condemned boats and sea-tackle of
all description, whilst as consul for the port, he had many
opportunities of purchasing wrecks of the sea, and the damaged cargoes
of foreign vessels, at a cheap rate; and not a stone was left unturned
by old Kitson, if by the turning a copper could be secured.

The meddling disposition of the old Captain, rendered him the terror of
all the fishermen on the coast, over whom his sway was despotic. He
superintended and ordered all their proceedings, with an authority as
absolute as though he were still upon the deck of his war-ship, and they
were subjected to his imperious commands. Not a boat could be put off,
or a flag hoisted, without he was duly consulted and apprised of the
fact. Not a funeral could take place in the town, without Kitson calling
upon the bereaved family, and offering his services on the mournful
occasion, securing to himself by this simple manoeuvre, an abundant
supply of black silk cravats and kid gloves.

"Never lose anything, my dear, for the want of _asking_," he would say.
"A refusal breaks no bones, and there is always a chance of getting what
you ask."

Acting upon this principle, he had begged favours of all the great men
in power; and had solicited the interest of every influential person who
had visited the town, during the bathing season, for the last twenty
years, on his behalf. His favourite maxim practically carried out, had
been very successful. He had obtained, for the mere trouble of asking,
commissions in the army and navy for all his sons, and had got all his
grandsons comfortably placed in the Greenwich or Christ Church schools.

He had a garden too, which was at once his torment and his pride. During
the spring and summer months, the