r the world, as well
as for your own miserable soul, if you had been detected, and cut off
in the beginning of your career. Come hither, clerk, and take this man's
confession." I was in an agony of consternation, when the constable,
going into another room with his worship, acquainted him with the
truth of the story; which having learned, he returned with a smiling
countenance, and, addressing himself to us all, said it was always his
way to terrify young people when they came before him, that his threats
might make a strong impression on their minds, and deter them from
engaging in scenes of riot and debauchery, which commonly ended before
the judge. Thus, having cloaked his own want of discernment under the
disguise of paternal care, we were dismissed, and I found myself as much
lightened as if a mountain had been lifted off my breast.

CHAPTER XVIII

I carry my qualification to the Navy Office--the nature of it--the
behaviour of the Secretary--Strap's concern for my absence--a battle
betwixt him a blacksmith--the troublesome consequences of it--his
harangue to me--his friend the schoolmaster recommends me to a French
Apothecary, who entertains me as a journeyman

I would most willingly have gone home to sleep, but was told by my
companions, that we must deliver our letters of qualification at the
Navy office, before one o'clock. Accordingly, we went thither, and gave
them to the secretary, who opened and read them, and I was mightily
pleased to find myself qualified for second mate of a third-rate. When
he had stuck them all together on a file, one of our company asked if
there were any vacancies; to which interrogation he answered "No!" Then
I ventured to inquire if may ships were to be put in commission soon.
At which question he surveyed me with a look of ineffable contempt;
and, pushing us out of his office, locked the door without deigning
us another word. We went down stairs, and conferred together on our
expectations, when I understood that each of them had been recommended
to one or other of the commissioners, and each of them promised the
first vacancy that should fall; but that none of them relied solely upon
that interest, without a present to the secretary, with whom some of the
commissioners went snacks. For which reason, each of them had provided
a small purse; and I was asked what I proposed to give This was a
vexatious question to me who (far from being in a capacity to gratify
a ravenous s