which, by the pale glare of that drowsy sentinel's lamp under the poop, I see you have again relapsed into." "You would scarcely guess the true cause of my mirth this morning," said Cramer; "it was at the form referred to at page 192 of the Naval Instructions, wherein masters are directed to make observations on the religion, government, disposition, and language' of the inhabitants of the countries they visit. What shall I say of the Danes ?" "Why, 'faith! Cramer, you may mark it down in true log-book brevity, that they stood it out well against Nelson, and that one of their young officers, in a floating battery, whose colours were shot away, hoisted a soldier's jacket, and fought till force overcame all hope. Set it down also, that they are a pale, yellow-haired, active brood of men, living on sandy islands; poor but proud, vindictive but powerless, having * A new code of instructions has lately been issued to His Majesty's Fleet. a particular respect for hares, rabbits, and the cat tribe; that they are tolerable sailors and soldiers, that would not disgrace the army of Fontinbras; and as for neighbours, that • Carnalia' is a sound that resounds from Helsinburg to Elsinore, from Elsinore to Helsinburg." "But their religion and morals, Harold ?" "Why those are dispensed with in war-time, I believe but if you are particularly at a loss, do as barren-brained personages like myself have done before you take up an old book, and if you can manage to catch an idea, so much the better. Few men are really learned, and all are coxcombs in their way besides, learned personages like you and me, who read much," continued Harold, laughing, "cannot be supposed to forget every thing we do read; so that, when the ideas of obsolete authors and ours are knocking each other about in our brains, you will perceive it is quite a chance which we make use of, depending entirely upon that which is shoved out first." CHAPTER II. The rank is but the guinea's stamp, BURNS. It is a peculiarity of some minds, never to dwell on the present: to be, as it were, involuntarily led from the contemplation or enjoyment of reality, to the world of hope or fiction; while others escape from the most exciting events to recollections of the past, as if all actuality were tiresome or disgusting. Gentle reader, if any comical thoughts ever assailed you in church, or cadaverous ones at a ball, you will not be surprised at the conversation of the two messmates, whose minds digressed from the scenes around them to things and places at a distance. Thought is quicker than motion, and travels faster than light. Harold's was in an instant across the German Ocean: "I hope," said he, "my mother will not forget to use all her influence with the people in power for my promotion. There is nothing like petticoat interest, you may be sure, Cramer :-if a petticoat lost Mark Antony the world, surely it may gain Master Harold a commission! But, alack! my mother is no Cleopatra, though my sister might pass for one.". "I think," said Cramer, "you are lucky to be advanced so far already." 66 Why, as I am one of those younger sons of an old family, who have but the choice of the pulpit, cockpit, or parapet, I see no great luck in holding a Lieutenant's commission at the age of twenty-two, especially as I could have had more comfort, less responsi bility, and more pleasure, in the enjoyment of the fortune I am by birth entitled to, in any situation on land." But what do your birth and fortune do for the country or the service, Harold? Your fortune is probably derived from the country; and by that means you are more bound, even by selfishness, to protect it; not only with your money, but your person: and, on these grounds, you may possibly think you would act better and deserve more than others. But if others act as well, and serve longer than you, from motives of gain, distinction, or patriotism, which they may have in common with yourself,-who then really deserves most from his Country ?” "If we sacrifice more, and run the same risks," replied Harold, "surely the preference should be ours." "Yes," said Cramer, "if you serve as long and as well, and admit that there must be such a thing as preference; but if you serve for honour and distinction in a public service, and |