th him--he is a smart, bold lad."

"By Jupiter," rejoined Debriseau, "I'll make him my Ganymede, till he
grows older."

Had Willy been as learned in mythology as Captain Debriseau, he might
have informed him that he had served in that capacity in his last
situation under Mr Bullock; but although the names, as appertaining to
a ship, were not unknown to him, yet the attributes of the respective
parties were a part of his education that old Adams had omitted.

"He will be fit for anything," rejoined our captain, "if he will only be
honest."

"McElvina," said Debriseau, "you always have these words in your mouth,
`be honest.' Now, as, between ourselves, I do not think that either you
or I are leading very honest lives, allow me to ask you why you
continually harp upon honesty when we are alone? I can easily
understand the propriety of shamming a little before the world."

"Debriseau, had any other man said half as much, I would have started my
grog in his face. It's no humbug on my part. I mean it sincerely; and,
to prove it, I will now give you a short sketch of my life; and after
you have heard it, I have no doubt but that you will acknowledge, with
me, the truth of the old adage, that `Honesty is the best policy.'"

But Captain McElvina must have a chapter to himself.

CHAPTER TEN.

He hath as fine a hand at picking a pocket as a woman, and is as
nimble-fingered as a juggler. If an unlucky session does not cut the
rope of his life, I pronounce he will be a great man in history.

_Beggar's Opera_.

"It is an old proverb that `one half of the world do not know _how_ the
other half live.' Add to it, nor _where_ they live, and it will be as
true. There is a class of people, of whose existence the public are too
well aware; but of whose resorts, and manners, and customs, among their
own fraternity, they are quite as ignorant now as they were one hundred
years back. Like the Chinese and the castes of the East, they never
change their profession, but bequeath it from father to son, as an
entailed estate from which they are to derive their subsistence. The
class to which I refer, consists of those members of the community at
large, who gain their livelihood by inserting their hands into the
pockets of other people,--not but that all the world are doing the same
thing, and have, since the creation; but then it is only as _amateurs_--
the class that I refer to, do it _professionally_, which, you mu