The captains, surprised at this delay and the muttering of Jack, looked up, and one of them gently inquired if Mr. Littlebrain had not dropped his handkerchief or something under the table? And then they again fixed their eyes upon the green cloth. "If you dare, I'll never see you again," cried "S. W. and by W. W."-—“ never come to your hammock-but I'll blow the ship on shore, every soul shall be lost, admiral and all; recollect your promise!" "Then I shall never pass," replied Jack. "Do you think that any other point in the compass shall pass you except me?-never! I am too jealous for that. Come now, dearest!" and the Wind again deliciously trembled upon the lips of our hero, who could no longer resist. "You have made a slight mistake, Mr. Littlebrain," said one of the captains. "Look again I meant to say, think again." "S. W. and by W. W.," again repeated Jack. " 'Dearest, how I love you!" whispered the soft Wind. And Jack did long, and long very much, for he loved his dear wind and the fine weather which accompanied her. Winter came on, and heavy gales and rain, and thunder and lightning; nothing but double-reefed top-sails and wearing in succession; and our hero walked the forecastle and thought of his favourite "S. W. and by W. W.," exclaimed Jack wind. The N. E. winds came down furiously, firmly. and the weather was bitter cold. The officers shook the rain and spray off their garments when their watch was over, and called for grog. Steward, a glass of grog," cried one; "and let it be strong.' 66 33 "The same for me," said Jack; "only, I'll mix it myself." Jack poured out the rum till the tumbler was half full. "Why, Littlebrain," said his messmate, "that is a dose; that's what we call a regular Nor-wester." "Why, Mr. Littlebrain," said one of the captains for Jack had actually laid the paper down on the table-"what's in the wind now?" "She's obstinate," replied Jack. “You appear to be so, at all events," replied the captain. "Pray, try once more.' "I have it!" thought Jack, who tore off the last answer from his paper. "I gained five guineas by that plan once before.” He then handed the bit of paper to the passing captain: "I believe that's right, sir," said our hero. "Yes, that is right; but could you not have said it instead of writing it, Mr. Littlebrain?" Jack made no reply; his little sweetheart pouted a little, but said nothing; it was an evasion which she did not like. A few seconds of consultation then took place, as a matter of form. Each captain asked of the other if he was perfectly satisfied as to Mr. Littlebrain's capabilities, and the reply was in the affirmative; and they were perfectly satisfied that he was either a fool or a madman. However, as we have had both in the service by way of precedent, Jack was added to the list, and the next day was appointed lieutenant. Our hero did his duty as lieutenant of the forecastle; and as all the duty of that officer is, when hailed from the quarter-deck, to answer, “Ay, ay, sir,” he got on without making many mistakes. And now he was very happy; no one dared to call him a fool except his uncle; he had his own cabin, and many was the time that his dear little "S.W. and by W. W." would come in by the scuttle and nestle by his side. "You won't see so much of me soon, dearest," said she, one morning, gravely, "Why not, my soft one?" replied Jack. "Don't you recollect that the winter months are coming on?" "So they are," replied Jack. "Well, I shall long for you back." "Is it?" replied Jack. "Well, then, Norwesters suit me exactly, and I shall stick to them like cobblers' wax." And during the whole of the winter months our hero showed a great predilection for Norwesters. It was in the latter end of February that there was a heavy gale; it had blown furiously from the northward for three days, and then it paused and panted as if out of breath-no wonder! And then the wind shifted and shifted again, with squalls and heavy rain, until it blew from every quarter of the compass. Our hero's watch was over, and he came down and called for a "Nor-wester" as usual. "How is the wind now?" asked the first lieutenant of the master, who came down dripping wet. "S.S. W., but drawing now fast to the westward," said old Spunyarn. And so it was; and it veered round until "S. W. and by W. W.," with an angry gust, came down the skylight, and blowing strongly into our hero's ear, cried— "" Oh, you false one!" "False!" exclaimed Jack. "What! you here, and so angry too? What's the matter?" "What's the matter!-do you think I don't know? What have you been doing ever since I was away, comforting yourself during my absence with Nor-westers?" "Why, you an't jealous of a Nor-wester, are you?" replied Littlebrain. "I confess I'm rather partial to them." "What-this to my face!-I'll never come again, without you promise me that you will have nothing to do with them, and never call for one again. Be quick-I cannot stay more than two minutes; for it is hard work now, and we relieve quick-say the word." "Well, then," replied Littlebrain, "you've no objection to half-and-half?" "None in the world; that's quite another thing, and has nothing to do with the wind." "It has though," thought Jack, "for it gets a man in the wind; but I won't tell her so; and," continued he, "you don't mind a raw nip, do you?" "No-I care for nothing except a Norwester." "I'll never call for one again," replied Jack; "it is but making my grog a little stronger; in future it shall be half-and-half." "That's a dear! Now I'm off-don't forget me;" and away went the wind in a great hurry. It was about three months after this short visit, the fleet being off Corsica, that our hero was walking the deck, thinking that he soon should see the object of his affections, when a privateer brig was discovered at anchor a few miles from Bastia. The signal was made for the boats of the fleet to cut her out; and the admiral, wishing that his nephew should distinguish himself somehow, gave him the command of one of the finest boats. Now Jack was as brave as brave could be; he did not know what danger was; he hadn't wit enough to perceive it, and there was no doubt but he would distinguish himself. The boats went on the service. Jack was the very first on board, cheering his men as he darted into the closed ranks of his opponents. Whether it was that he did not think that his head was worth defending, or that he was too busy in breaking the heads of others to look after his own, this is certain, that a tomahawk descended upon it with such force as to bury itself in his skull (and his was a thick skull too). The privateer's men were overpowered by numbers, and then our hero was discovered, under a pile of bodies, still breathing heavily. He was hoisted on board and taken into his uncle's cabin: the surgeon shook his head when he had examined that of our hero. "It must have been a most tremendous blow," said he to the admiral, "to have penetrated 19 "It must have been, indeed," replied the admiral, as the tears rolled down his cheeks; for he loved his nephew. The surgeon having done all that his art would enable him to do, left the cabin to attend to the others who were hurt; the admiral also went on the quarter deck, walking to and fro for an hour in a melancholy mood. He returned to the cabin and bent over his nephew; Jack opened his eyes. "My dear fellow," said the admiral, "how's your head now?" "S. W. and by W. W.," faintly exclaimed our hero, constant in death, as he turned a little on one side and expired. It was three days afterwards, as the fleet were on a wind making for Malta, that the bell of the ship tolled, and a body, sewed up in a hammock and covered with the Union Jack, was carried to the gangway by the admiral's bargemen. It had been a dull, cloudy day, with little wind; the hands were turned up, the officers and men stood uncovered; the admiral in advance with his arms folded, as the chaplain read the funeral service over the body of our hero,-and as the service proceeded, the sails flapped, for the wind had shifted a little; a motion was made, by the hand of the officer of the watch, to the man at the helm to let the ship go off the wind, that the service might not be disturbed, and a mizzling soft rain descended. The wind had shifted to our hero's much-loved point, his fond mistress had come to mourn over the loss of her dearest, and the rain that descended were the tears which she shed at the death of her handsome but not over-gifted lover. PROVERBS. As love and I late harbour'd in one inn, And having thus awhile each other thwarted. MICHAEL DRAYTON, POOR JACK. [Charles Dibdin, born in Southampton, 1745; died July, 1814. His name is still famous and popular as that of the writer of our most effective sea-songs. He was educated at Winchester, and intended for the church; but he adopted the stage as his profession. He became known as an actor, dramatist, and theatrical manager; but his reputation was made by his songs, of which he wrote nearly 1200. He also wrote forty-seven dramatic pieces and other works. An edition of the songs, illustrated by George Cruikshanks, was published in 1830.] tight, And under reef'd foresail we'll scud: For they say there's a Providence sits up aloft, Why, I heard our good chaplain palaver one day Go patter to lubbers and swabs, d'ye see, 'Bout danger, and fear, and the like; A tight water-boat and good sea-room give me, The first of our society is a gentleman of And 'taint to a little I'll strike: Though the tempest top-gallant-masts smack smooth Worcestershire, of ancient descent, a baronet, his name Sir Roger de Coverley. His great grandfather was inventor of that famous All should smite, And shiver each splinter of wood, Clear the wreck, stow the yards, and bouse everything country-dance which is called after him. who know that shire are very well acquainted I said to our Poll, for, d'ye see, she would cry, Why, what a d-'d fool you must be! Can't you see the world's wide, and there's room for us though, his temper being naturally jovial, he all, at last got over it, he grew careless of himself and never dressed afterwards; he continues to And many fine things that proved clearly to me For, says he, do you mind me, let storms e'er so oft Both for seamen and lubbers ashore, And if to old Davy I should go, friend Poll, Why you will ne'er hear of me more; What then, all's a hazard; come, don't be so soft, For, d'ye see, there's a cherub sits smiling aloft, As for me, in all weathers, all times, sides, and ends, friend's; Even when my time comes, ne'er believe me so soft For the same little cherub that sits up aloft SIR ROGER DE COVERLEY'S BY SIR RICHARD STEELE. 1 From the Spectator, which was supposed to be produced by a "Society of Gentlemen;" and it is notable that Sir Roger de Coverley, who was the most popular of its creations, is the first mentioned in the number devoted to the portraits of the members of the club. Addison has obtained more credit for his share in the creation of this admirable specimen of a good old English gentleman than has been allowed to Steele; but it is worth remembering that it is Steele who introduces the D'ye mind me, a sailor should be every inch And with her brave the world without offering to flinch, knight; and Steele writes entirely of the man, whilst wear a coat and doublet of the same cut that were in fashion at the time of his repulse, which, in his merry humours, he tells us, had been in and out twelve times since he first wore it. . . . He is now in his fifty-sixth year, cheerful, gay, and hearty, keeps a good house in both town and country; a great lover of mankind; but there is such a mirthful cast in his behaviour, that he is rather beloved than esteemed. His tenants grow rich, his servants look satisfied, all the young women profess love to him, and the young men are glad of his company: When he comes into a house he calls the servants by their names, and talks all the way upstairs to a visit. I must not omit that Sir Roger is a justice of the Quorum; that he fills the chair at a quarter-session with great abilities, and three months ago gained universal applause by explaining a passage in the game-act. I mentioned a great affliction which my friend Sir Roger had met with in his youth; which was no less than a disappointment in love. It happened this evening that we fell into a very pleasing walk at a distance from his house: As soon as we came into it, "It is," quoth the good old man, looking round him with a smile, "very hard that any part of my land should be settled upon one who has used me so ill as the perverse widow did; and yet I am sure I could not see a sprig of any bough of this whole walk of trees, but I should reflect upon her and her severity. She has certainly the finest hand of any woman in the world. You are to know this was the place wherein I used to muse upon her; and by that custom I can never come into it, but the same tender sentiments revive in my mind, as if I had actually walked with that beautiful creature under these shades. I have been fool enough to carve her name on the bark of several of these trees; so unhappy is the condition of men in love, to attempt the removing of their passion by the methods which serve only to imprint it deeper. She has certainly the finest hand of any woman in the world." year, and resolved to follow the steps of the most worthy of my ancestors who have inhabited this spot of earth before me, in all the methods of hospitality and good neighbourhood, for the sake of my fame; and in country sports and recreations, for the sake of my health. In my twenty-third year I was obliged to serve as sheriff of the county; and in my servants, officers, and whole equipage, indulged the pleasure of a young man (who did not think ill of his own person) in taking that public occasion of showing my figure and behaviour to advantage. You may easily imagine to yourself what appearance I made, who am pretty tall, rid well, and was very well dressed, at the head of a whole county, with music before me, a feather in my hat, and my horse well bitted. I can assure you I was not a little pleased with the kind looks and glances I had from all the balconies and windows as I rode to the hall where the assizes were held. But when I came there, a beautiful creature in s widow's habit sat in court to hear the event of a cause concerning her dower. This commanding creature (who was born for destruction of all who behold her) put on such a resignation in her countenance, and bore the whispers of all around the court with such a pretty uneasi ness, I warrant you, and then recovered herself from one eye to another, 'till she was perfectly confused by meeting something so wistful in all she encountered, that at last, with a murrain to her, she cast her bewitching eye upon me. I no sooner met it, but I bowed like a great surprised booby; and knowing her cause to be the first which came on, I cried like a captivated calf as I was, "Make way for the defendant's witnesses.' "This sudden partiality made all the county immediately see the sheriff also was become a slave to the fine widow. During the time her cause was upon trial she behaved herself, I warrant you, with such a deep attention to her business, took opportunities to have little billets handed to her counsel, then would be in such a pretty confusion, occasioned, you must know, by acting before so much company, that not only I but the whole court was prejudiced in her favour; and all that the next heir to her husband had to urge was thought so groundless and frivolous, that when it came to her counsel to reply, there was not half so much said as every one besides in the court thought he could have urged to her advantage. "You must understand, sir, this perverse woman is one of those unaccountable creatures that secretly rejoice in the admiration of men, "I came to my estate in my twenty-second but indulge themselves in no further conse Here followed a profound silence; and I was not displeased to observe my friend falling so naturally into a discourse, which I had ever before taken notice he industriously avoided. After a very long pause he entered upon an account of this great circumstance in his life, with an air which I thought raised my idea of him above what I had ever had before; and gave me the picture of that cheerful mind of his, before it received that stroke which has ever since affected his words and actions. But he went on as follows: quences. Hence it is that she has ever had a train of admirers, and she removes from her slaves in town to those in the country, according to the seasons of the year. She is a reading lady, and far gone in the pleasures of friendship; she is always accompanied by a confidant, who is witness to her daily protestations against our sex, and consequently a bar to her first steps towards love, upon the strength of her own maxims and declarations. "However, I must needs say this accomplished mistress of mine has distinguished me above the rest, and has been known to declare Sir Roger de Coverley was the tamest and most human of all the brutes in the country. I was told she said so, by one who thought he rallied me; but upon the strength of this slender encouragement, of being thought least detestable, I made new liveries, new-paired my coach-horses, sent them all to town to be bitted, and taught to throw their legs well, and move all together, before I pretended to cross the country and wait upon her. "As soon as I thought my retinue suitable to the character of my fortune and youth, I set out from hence to make my addresses. The particular skill of this lady has ever been to inflame your wishes, and yet command respect. To make her mistress of this art, she has a greater share of knowledge, wit, and good sense, than is usual, even among men of merit. Then she is beautiful beyond the race of women. If you won't let her go on with a certain artifice with her eyes and the skill of beauty, she will arm herself with her real charms, and strike you with admiration instead of desire. It is certain that if you were to behold the whole woman, there is that dignity in her aspect, that composure in her motion, that complacency in her manner, that if her form makes you hope, her merit makes you fear. But then again, she is such a desperate scholar, that no country-gentleman can approach her without being a jest. | losopher in Europe could possibly make, she asked me whether she was so happy as to fall in with my sentiments on these important particulars. Her confidant sat by her, and upon my being in the last confusion and silence, this malicious aid of hers, turning to her, says, 'I am very glad to observe Sir Roger pauses upon this subject, and seems resolved to deliver all his sentiments upon the matter when he pleases to speak.' They both kept their countenances, and after I had sat half an hour meditating how to behave before such profound casuists, I rose up and took my leave. "Chance has since that time thrown me very often in her way, and she as often has directed a discourse to me which I do not understand. This barbarity has kept me ever at a distance from the most beautiful object my eyes ever beheld. It is thus also she deals with all mankind, and you must make love to her, as you would conquer the Sphinx, by posing her. But were she like other women, and that there were any talking to her, how constant must the pleasure of that man be who could converse with a creature- But after all, you may be sure her heart is fixed on some one or other; and yet I have been credibly informed; but who can believe half that is said! After she had done speaking to me, she put her hand to her bosom, and adjusted her tucker. Then she cast her eyes a little down upon my beholding her too earnestly. They say she sings excellently: her voice in her ordinary speech has something in it inexpressibly sweet. You must know I dined with her at a public table the day after I first saw her, and she helped me to some tansy in the eye of all the gentlemen in the country: she has certainly the finest hand of any woman in the world. I can assure you, sir, were you to behold her, you would be in the same condition; for as her speech is music, her form is angelic. But I find I grow irregular while I am talking of her; but indeed it would be stupidity to be unconcerned at such perfection. Oh the excellent creature, she is as inimitable to all women as she is inaccessible to all men." "As I was going to tell you, when I came to her house I was admitted to her presence with great civility; at the same time she placed herself to be first seen by me in such an atti- I found my friend begin to rave, and insentude, as I think you call the posture of a pic-sibly led him towards the house, that we might ture, that she discovered new charms, and I be joined by some other company; and am at last came towards her with such an awe as convinced that the widow is the secret cause made me speechless. This she no sooner ob- of all that inconsistency which appears in some served but she made her advantage of it, and parts of my friend's discourse; though he has began a discourse to me concerning love and so much command of himself as not directly honour, as they both are followed by pretenders, to mention her, yet according to that of Marand the real votaries to them. When she had tial, which one knows not how to render in discussed these points in a discourse, which I English, Dum tacet hanc loquitur. I shall verily believe was as learned as the best phi-end this paper with that whole epigram, which |
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