14

COMMODORE THOMPSON

ago; and the decided and strong impressions then made in his favor, have been more than confirmed by the intercourse which has taken place in the relation we now hold to each other.

non-com

The usual accommodations of a chaplain are in the ward-room, adjoining those of his fellow “ batants," the purser and surgeon; but the Guerriere, besides her complement of officers, has several on board as passengers, destined to other vessels in the Brazilian and Pacific squadrons, and a state room in the cabin has been kindly assigned me. The greater advantages of light and air, and the facilities for study, which will thus be afforded, can scarce be appreciated by one ignorant of the darkness by day, and greater or less noise and various inconvenience at all times of a crowded gun-room. In every other respect, however, I am associated with the gentlemen of my own grade precisely as I should be, were my apartment on the same deck with theirs.

The Guerriere is a frigate of the first class, and having yourself been a passenger on board a man of war of the same force, a particular description of her is unnecessary. Her size, model, and whole external appearance, as she sits proudly on the water, are so much those of H. B. M. ship Blonde, that were you rowing along side, her dark hull and heavy batteries below, and lofty masts with light spars tapering gracefully to the sky above, would appear the same. crossing the side too, the spar-deck would present little difference; and it would not be till you had descended to the cabin that you would perceive yourself to be on board another vessel. Here the arrangements in the Guerriere are more tasteful and more

On

AND THE GUERRIERE.

15

pleasant. The after cabin, handsomely fitted as a library and cabinet, has apartments on either side for the accommodation of Commodore Thompson and Captain Smith; immediately forward of which, and opposite to each other, are two others, one appropriated to Andrew Armstrong, Esq., U. S. naval agent at Peru, a passenger, and the other to myself.

The forward or dining cabin differs in its construction from every other I have seen. Instead of extending from side to side across the whole deck, it is an octagon, some twenty feet in diameter in the centre, shutting from view the after guns of the main deck battery-usually conspicuous objects in the same cabin in other vessels-with all the array of battle axes and cutlasses, shot boxes and pistols surrounding them. The upper panels of the partitions, or more correctly in ship phraseology, the bulk-heads, are glazed sashes so adjusted as to be raised or dropped at pleasure; and thus admitting, from the ports, all the light and air desirable.

Appropriately and elegantly furnished, and supplied at this season of the year with a warm carpet and hangings of moreen, there is, as we encircle the centre table in the evening for reading or conversation, or when the winter's storm whistles boisterously through the masts and rigging, draw more near the cheerful fire of a bright stove, an air of parlor-like and home comfort thrown round us I have never before known on board ship; and which would be delightful but for associations induced by it, too fond for the indulgence of those about to be hurried to the farthest possible distance from all they love best.

My man-of-war life is now actually begun: how

far I shall be pleased, and how far useful in it, I know not. It is very distinct from every other life, but I see no reason yet to fear, that as the novelty which now interests and amuses me ceases to be such, I shall be less satisfied than I at present am. It has one advantage at least over many others-that of unvarying regularity in all its arrangements: an essential in the economy of happiness with me. It allows, in a degree, of retirement too, but only to one who can abstract himself from the seeming confusion of a very Babel.

Besides the hum and varied din of the talk and occupation of five hundred men thickly crowded together, with the first tap of the revielle at the dawning of the morning, a succession of noisy signals commences in the various trilling of the boatswain's whistle and the hoarse calls of his mates, which ceases only when the blasts of the bugle and firing of musketry on setting the watch at night, proclaim a respite, save in the half hourly striking of the time, accompanied by the watchful sentry's cry-" All's well!" Still I trust I shall be enabled at least in a degree, to abstract my mind from them; and besides attempting to be useful to others, shall, by reading and study, make the voyage highly profitable to myself.

It is long since I learned to love the character of the sailor not the vulgarity and low vice too often found under the name, but the nobler traits which be long more distinctively to him than to any other order of men. I mean the warm heart and generous soul; the clan-like tie which leads him to hail every round jacket and tarpaulin hat, as if they were the features of a brother; the recklessness of danger and disregard of self; the humor, gay spirit, and credulity,

tinctured with superstition, which are characteristically his own.

They have long been a neglected race, and most unjustly so for there are none to whom the world stands more indebted-none to whom every class of society are under stronger obligations of good will. Though too generally the victims of vice, they are far from being invariably such. Among them I have met individuals of as correct principles, pure habits, and refined feelings, as any I have known elsewhere; and more than once, have myself proved such worthy of receiving and capable of appreciating the best affections of our nature. Even to true piety of heart they are not altogether strangers; and here and there at least, one may be found who fears God and keeps his commandments.

I have already ascertained, that two or three of our crew are professedly and decidedly religious. In this I greatly rejoice: not only in view of the blessing to themselves, but of its probable happy influence upon others. One bright and living example of piety, in the midst of those wandering from God, is worth a thousand speculative illustrations of the benefit and happiness of religion, in persuading others to return. May this happily prove true in the present case; and may many here speedily be added to the little number who have already chosen "that good part which shall never be taken from them.”

Let your prayers, dear H- be with me in this behalf; and let all who love me pray not only for my own safety and prosperity, but for the rich gift of the spirit of grace upon our ship, and the crew with which I sail.

18

WEIGH ANCHOR

LETTER II.

DEPARTURE FROM THE CHESAPEAKE.

U. S. Ship Guerriere, off the Capes of Virginia,}

February 14th, 1829.

YESTERDAY Captain Smith and myself dined with General North and family at Fortress Monroe.

While at the table the wind suddenly became fair, and signals for sailing were made from the Guerriere. A boat was at the same time despatched for us, and we were obliged to take a hasty leave of our friends and their hospitality. When we gained the frigate, she was already under way; and, followed by the St. Louis, dropped down to Lynn Haven for the night. At daybreak this morning we again weighed anchor, and had scarce time to scribble a note to send on shore by the pilot, before our topsails were aback, and a cutter lowering to set him on board his little craft, tossing gaily on the billows under our lee.

Delays in the time of sailing had been so frequent that, though the light-house on Cape Henry was already behind us and we on the open sea, I then first began to feel that we were actually off. The hurried manner in which many, from the Commodore to the roughest of the crew, pressed round the honest man to thrust into his letter-bag "last lines" to many a loved one, and the agitation of lip and eye here and there betrayed by one and another, as they added to a hasty farewell, "take good care of my packet," made us sensible that the hour had indeed come, when we