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Article THE MYSTERIOUS MR. B. ← Page 4 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Mysterious Mr. B.
ing to portray the acutcuess of my feelings . I was but a boy , it is true , but still the change , the circumstances which had so strangely occurred , Avas enough to shake the firmest mind ; yet I did at that early period , and have ever since , felt a reliance upon the protection of that Almighty poAver which is spread over the mansion and the hut both of the rich and the poor . I was far from beiug ignorant , although the scenes of my childhood ivere humble and loAvly . It will naturall
y be supposed that I derived little benefit from instruction in books , but fortunatel y I Avas taken notice of . by the Rev . Mr . A **** the curate of the parish of Whitby , Avhen [ Avas four years of age—and Avas admitted by his kind recommendation , into the grammar school of the town . It was here that I acquired the rudiments of education , and being blessed ivith a ready ancl willing disposition , I assiduously reaped those advantages , Avhich are invariablderived from the important instruction of
y good preceptors . I found in the morning , thatl Avas on board His Majesty ' s Ship—The Defiance ; one of the largest and most dashing frigates in the Royal Navy ; and after having been inspected by the proper officer , Avas declared fit for service . The boyish remonstrances that I made Avere useless , they did , or AA ' OUICI not believe one AA'ord that I had to say , it Avas enough for them that I Avas aboardand 1 Avas soon told and taught
, , not by gentle means , that passive obedience Avas absolutely necessary . Some . Aveeks elapsed before tiie frigate received orders for sailing , during Avhich period I Avas taught and initiated into the wear and tear of a sailor ' s life . At length we left the coast of England , ancl proceeded to coiiA'oy a large fleet of merchantmen , to the West Indies ; which
order was executed , without any occurrence happening Avorthy of notice . We remained cruising about the West Indian Islands , for three years ; and I had by this time , become perfectly capable of performing the practical duties of a seaman , and , Avith a few exceptions , had merited , and gained , the good will ancl eulogium of my superiors . 1 Avas fortunate enough to gain a kind and sincere friend , in the steward of the ship . My knowledge of figures was sufficient to enable me to be of considerable
use to him ; and upon many occasions , I Avas excused from performing laborious duties , on the score of my being as usefully engaged in the steward ' s room . I cannot deny , that the period which I passed on board this ship , Avas comparative happiness ; the kindness I received , —however rough , —was friendly ; and the strict regimen and discipline kept up , prevented any unpleasant feelings from existing amongst the creiv . We numbered four hundred on board , and in so large an
assemblage , it folloAved that there were some strange and choice spirits . There Avere three persons , Avho although of very different humours , particularly attracted my notice , and indeed , the notice of every body on board . The first , William Tozer , held the responsible situation of purser , ancl
Avas a man , by education and habits , every ivay qualified to fulfil the important duties of his office . The second , Thomas Lawrence , a quarter master , Avas reckoned to be one of the best hands that ever trod on board a man of AA'ar . The third , James Wrig ht , belonged to the gunner ' s creAV , and Avas one of the most refractory men we had ; at the same time he was far from being a bad seaman . In disposition he ivas violent to a degree ; excepting Avhen under the control or command of a superior officer . Yet in spite of his natural and unfortunate temper , he Avas observed at all times , to pay a devout attention to the expressions Avhich fell from , or Avere uttered by , Tozer or Laivrence ; and they could at
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Mysterious Mr. B.
ing to portray the acutcuess of my feelings . I was but a boy , it is true , but still the change , the circumstances which had so strangely occurred , Avas enough to shake the firmest mind ; yet I did at that early period , and have ever since , felt a reliance upon the protection of that Almighty poAver which is spread over the mansion and the hut both of the rich and the poor . I was far from beiug ignorant , although the scenes of my childhood ivere humble and loAvly . It will naturall
y be supposed that I derived little benefit from instruction in books , but fortunatel y I Avas taken notice of . by the Rev . Mr . A **** the curate of the parish of Whitby , Avhen [ Avas four years of age—and Avas admitted by his kind recommendation , into the grammar school of the town . It was here that I acquired the rudiments of education , and being blessed ivith a ready ancl willing disposition , I assiduously reaped those advantages , Avhich are invariablderived from the important instruction of
y good preceptors . I found in the morning , thatl Avas on board His Majesty ' s Ship—The Defiance ; one of the largest and most dashing frigates in the Royal Navy ; and after having been inspected by the proper officer , Avas declared fit for service . The boyish remonstrances that I made Avere useless , they did , or AA ' OUICI not believe one AA'ord that I had to say , it Avas enough for them that I Avas aboardand 1 Avas soon told and taught
, , not by gentle means , that passive obedience Avas absolutely necessary . Some . Aveeks elapsed before tiie frigate received orders for sailing , during Avhich period I Avas taught and initiated into the wear and tear of a sailor ' s life . At length we left the coast of England , ancl proceeded to coiiA'oy a large fleet of merchantmen , to the West Indies ; which
order was executed , without any occurrence happening Avorthy of notice . We remained cruising about the West Indian Islands , for three years ; and I had by this time , become perfectly capable of performing the practical duties of a seaman , and , Avith a few exceptions , had merited , and gained , the good will ancl eulogium of my superiors . 1 Avas fortunate enough to gain a kind and sincere friend , in the steward of the ship . My knowledge of figures was sufficient to enable me to be of considerable
use to him ; and upon many occasions , I Avas excused from performing laborious duties , on the score of my being as usefully engaged in the steward ' s room . I cannot deny , that the period which I passed on board this ship , Avas comparative happiness ; the kindness I received , —however rough , —was friendly ; and the strict regimen and discipline kept up , prevented any unpleasant feelings from existing amongst the creiv . We numbered four hundred on board , and in so large an
assemblage , it folloAved that there were some strange and choice spirits . There Avere three persons , Avho although of very different humours , particularly attracted my notice , and indeed , the notice of every body on board . The first , William Tozer , held the responsible situation of purser , ancl
Avas a man , by education and habits , every ivay qualified to fulfil the important duties of his office . The second , Thomas Lawrence , a quarter master , Avas reckoned to be one of the best hands that ever trod on board a man of AA'ar . The third , James Wrig ht , belonged to the gunner ' s creAV , and Avas one of the most refractory men we had ; at the same time he was far from being a bad seaman . In disposition he ivas violent to a degree ; excepting Avhen under the control or command of a superior officer . Yet in spite of his natural and unfortunate temper , he Avas observed at all times , to pay a devout attention to the expressions Avhich fell from , or Avere uttered by , Tozer or Laivrence ; and they could at