"NEXT morning, at a pretty early hour, the whole delegates of us, rigged out in our best style, and sporting white favours on our hats and breasts, assembled by signal in our respective ships' boats around the Royal Sovereign; from which, after being mustered in form by the President, we pushed off, and made for Sallyport in the grandest style imaginable. Here having landed, and ranked ourselves up like the soldiers, away we marched, with Jack Morris at our head, as silent and as orderly as a vestry meeting, while the whole streets through which we passed rung again with the cheerings of the surrounding multitude. We thus gravely marched on until we arrived at Governor Pitt's house, in the front of which we halted, and gave old First of June three hearty cheers. The large windows were immediately thrown open, and out came his Lordship on the balcony, surrounded by a great number of the prettiest ladies, and flashiest-dressed fellows, in blue and scarlet, my eyes ever beheld. Doucing his plain, little cocked hat, he said something to us I suppose by way of compliment, for he spoke so confoundedly low I heard never a word. However, it was all one, for he got through it some way or other; and then the ladies curtsied, the gentlemen bowed, while we and the multitude repeatedly cheered them, the Marines' band of music, which had now joined us, playing, God Save the King, and other loyal tunes, all the time. We thus waited for a short time, while the soldiers were marching and lining the streets down all the way to the water's edge. This was no sooner done, than out came his Lordship, attended by all his fine company of ladies and gentlemen, and away we marched, with the music before us, to New Sallyport, where we once more took to our boats, and pushed off with a sweeping pull for St Helen's. I dare say it must have been a grand sight from the Platform, which was completely crowded with people; at least, I know, the Platform was a very fine

VOL. XIX.

sight to us, where the gentlemen were waving their hats, and the ladies their handkerchiefs, as we swept silently and swiftly past them.

"Be this as it may : His Lordship, thus escorted, steered direct for the old Charlotte, and was received by our ship's company with three cheers, and the yards manned. As soon as they had lain in off the yards, and returned on deck, his Lordship called all hands aft on the quarter-deck, when, relaxing his usually stern countenance into something like a smile, he thus addressed them :-'It gives me infinite pleasure, my lads, to see you once more treading with cheerfulness the strict path of your duty. I hope you will continue to do so long, now that his Majesty has been graciously pleased to grant all your requests, and that you will convince both him and your country in general, that your loyalty is untainted, and your courage and zeal in the service of both as vigorous as ever. This will be the best, and indeed is the only way of showing your gratitude for what they have given you; and, while it will do great honour to yourselves, it will transmit your names down to the latest posterity with a lustre of character, which ever has been, and I hope ever will be, the glorious reward of the seamen of Great Britain. I have only now to add, my lads, on this happy occasion, and one which, I assure you, I count the most honourable of my life, that standing here on the very spot where I fought our implacable enemy, and where many gallant but unfortunate friends of their King and Country received their death's wound, I do now, at his own most gracious request, tender you all his Majesty's pardon for everything gone by. You are therefore all pardoned. Let the past be forgotten for ever; and let the future show, by deeds of the purest patriotism, both to your King, your Country, and an admiring world, that the seamen of Great Britain are really and truly the valiant subjects of the most warlike, the most enlightened, and

4 Q

the happiest country under Heaven.You may now return to your duty. Captain Lock, pipe down.'

66 6 Oh no, my dear Lord,' returned the Captain smiling, you must certainly allow us to finish as we have begun.-Man the whip forward there! -Excuse me for a moment, my lord. -I must certainly see the ladies safely over the side.'

"Undoubtedly, my good Lock,' answered his Lordship, smiling; 'by all means, whatever you do, look after .the ladies.'

"Halting a short time on the quarter-deck, in conversation with his gentlemen, while the ladies were getting into the barge, the Captain suddenly reappearing on deck, bawled out, Man the rigging!-away aloft! The yards were manned in a twinkling, while his Lordship returned to his barge, and left the Charlotte amid the repeated cheerings of the whole crew.

"In this manner we escorted him through the whole fleet, each vessel receiving him in a similar way. We then stretched away, at a long steady pull, back to Spithead; which the Royal Billy and Prince, who were on the look-out, observing, immediately hoisted the standard of Britain, and welcomed us with a royal salute. We swiftly rowed alongside of Sir Roger Curtis's ship, where we understood the gentry were to dine; and, opening in line to right and left, we gave the old boy, as his barge passed through the centre, and as he mounted the side, three other hearty cheers, then took leave of him for a time, and returned to St Helen's to dinner, as hungry as hawks.

"We now had a pause until the afternoon's grog was over, when the signal for assembling the boats was again hoisted to the Royal Sovereign's main-topgallant mast head. This being instantly obeyed, we once more set off for Spithead, and pulled along side the Prince, on board of which his Lordship and the gentry were. After a short time spent in arranging the boats in their respective stations, the ladies began to appear coming over the side in a splendid whip-chair; and shortly after, his Lordship, followed by the other gentlemen, (some of whom, my lad, would have required the whip-chair also,) entered the barge, which having moved to its place in the centre, we all pushed off for the

shore, in three very pretty distinct lines, headed by Jack Morris, as our President, and brought up by myself, as his Vice, an arrangement which proved highly agreeable and satisfactory both to his Lordship, and the nabs who were along with him.

"We thus rowed on in the most regular order, when, as we shot past the Platform, which was most terribly crowded with people, the standard of Britain was again hoisted, and a royal salute fired, accompanied by a sort of running fire from the marines and soldiers, ranged inside the walls of the garrison, while the clear blue welkin, bespangled and dazzling with a beautiful summer's sun, resounded with the reiterated cheerings of the immense multitude who crowded the shores all around us. As soon as we had reached New Sallyport, the Delegates hastily left their boats, and hoisting his Lordship, in a flashy chair, on the shoulders of four stout young fellows, with the old union-jack flying over his venerable head, and the ladies and gentlemen all round him, away we marched back to the Governor's house, preceded by the music, in the very same order we had come ashore, amid the deafening acclamations of the greatest assemblage of people I ever remember to have seen.

Having arrived at last at our destination, we again opened to the right and left, when his Lordship, followed by his company, passed through betwixt us, and entered the Governor's house, amid a most thundering finale of shoutings and applause,-hats and handkerchiefs being to be seen waving as far as the eye could reach. The story being now concluded, the mob and soldiers began rapidly to disperse, and we were arranging ourselves up to follow their example, when who should bolt out of the house upon us but our old friend Peregrine Wigley, with a message from his Lordship, commanding the immediate presence of our President, accompanied by two more of the Delegates. Jack Morris immediately choosing Joe Green and myself, we followed him into the house, and were ushered into a superb room, where we found the noble Lord and his ladies and gentlemen seated all round.

"Ordering us to approach him, he immediately said, 'It gives me pleasure to tell you, my lads, at the close

of this busy and delightful day, how much your dutiful and respectful behaviour has gratified myself and those gentlemen and ladies now before you, who did me the honour of their excellent company. You have indeed behaved yourselves this day like British seamen, and have more than redeemed that far-famed name for patriotism and loyalty, which it has ever been my pride, through a long lengthened life, to boast of and to glory in. Carry my thanks, and the thanks of this honourable company, to your comrades, and to the Fleet. Tell them, my report to his Majesty, and to your Country, shall be as flattering as my present satisfaction is complete; and as it is not likely, my lads, from my advanced years and increasing frailties, that I shall ever see you again, I beg you to accept this, to enable you to drink to the health and long life of our excellent Sovereign, the prosperity of our Country, the health of our worthy Governor here and his illustrious guests, to which you may add, if you are so minded,' continued his Lordship, with a smile, 'that old fellow's health you are pleased to call the Father of the Fleet.'

"Jack Morris received his Lordship's gift with a very stylish bow; then boldly surveying the whole smiling company, with a face suffused with a ruddy glow, which made it a thousand times handsomer than usual, he modestly said, 'It is impossible for one, my Lord, who is only a plain blunt sailor, to find proper words either to thank you or this elegant company for your goodness sufficiently,-since never in my life stood I in such a presence. Allow me, however, in the name of my brothers of the Fleet, to express how great our obligations are to you, my Lord, for your many signal services, and for the unwearied ability you have displayed in conducting our affairs to this day's happy conclusion,―to assure you of our unceasing gratitude and respect, and that while, this very evening, we drink his Majesty's health, and a speedy triumph to him over all his enemies, we shall not forget that of our noble and illustrious Father of the Fleet, or those excellent ladies and gentlemen who this day accompanied him in his labour of love.'

"Bravo, my lad, and spoke like a Briton!' cried Governor Pit, rising and approaching the Earl. "Your

Lordship must excuse me,' continued he, if I feel a very strong inclination to follow your good example in contributing, in the name of myself and distinguished guests, towards a merrymaking on this auspicious day. Here, my lad, accept of this from an old soldier-and recollect, after you've drank a good long life to your Father of the Fleet and all his blue-jackets, be sure to add that of our excellent Father of the Army, his Royal Highness of York, and all his scarlet ones. now, be as merry as I can possibly wish you; and in order that you may want nothing in my power to grant, I shall immediately give orders for the band of the Royal Marines to attend you wherever you shall choose to go.'

Go,

"This munificent treatment fairly put poor Jack's pipe out; and by my soul, Davies, I pitied him at that moment. He coloured, he grew pale, and, repeatedly bowing, in a voice hardly articulate, he briefly returned thanks. The Governor smiled, and motioned to the door; when, followed by Green and myself, who did our best in making our sea-bows elegant, he slowly left the room, amid the smiles and good wishes of both ladies and gentlemen.

"In the lobby at the bottom of the stairs, we were met by Peregrine Wigley and others of the serving-men, who were evidently awaiting us.

66

"Well, my jolly hearts,' cried Wigley, 'how fares it? How do you like the Earl and his noble company ? I hope he has come down handsomely?

"He has indeed been very kind,' answered Morris, and the worthy Governor has not been one whit behind him.'

666

'Ay,' cried Perry; 'well, that is just as it should be. Be pleased to come this way a moment.'

Really, Perry,' cried Morris, 'you must excuse us at present. Our comrades are waiting, and will be out of all patience.'

"That I know, my lad,' cried Perry; but, believe me, they're not quite so impatient for your presence as all that comes to either. Come on, come on,' cried he, seeing Jack rather backward in following him: 'why, zounds, man alive, they're all here before you. Do you really suppose that the Governor would allow you to leave his house, after coming off the water, without a tasting of some'at to eat? No, no, matey, he's not the boy, believe me.'

Head, as happy as princes are said to be, cheered by the surrounding multitude, and charmed with the music.

"We now entered a large servants' hall, where we found our comrades and the Marines' band seated very comfortably at a long oaken table, which extended the whole length of the room, all busily employed in knocking a huge sirloin of beef into them, while the black jack went swiftly and merrily round.

"Hilloah!' cried Morris, smiling and looking down the hall; By St George, Perry, you've got a jolly messtable, and devilishly well manned. If this was to be the case, I think his Lordship and the Governor might well have close-reefed their bounty to us; for here, to my eye, my heart, we've more than enough, without going a step farther.'

66 6 Tush, tush,' cried Wigley, winking and pulling us aside, not a word more of that, Morris, for heaven's sake, I beseech you, if you don't wish to affront me.-Why, my dear soul, this comes from neither the Governor nor his Lordship, but is merely a bit treat of our own. You must know we're to have both a great and a grand party to-night on this happy occasion; and so, my worthy friend, Master Carey here, who has the honour of being the Governor's butler, just remarked to me in the forepart of the day,Wigley,' says he, 'why, as we've so many things to cook and get ready at any rate for to-night, and it's likely the lads of the Fleet will be here, what would be the great harm of sousing a round of beef into the boiler, by way of giving them a snack and a draught of beer after coming off on the water-Doesn't think 'twould be very acceptable?' says he. You may be sure, my hearts, that I agreed to all this directly. So now, you see, as it comes all entirely of Carey's good will to you, I think it will be the best way to sit down, thrash away, and say nothing-he'll enjoy the thing all the better for that, I can assure you.'

"As we plainly saw in all this there was nothing else for it, we quietly acquiesced, and partook heartily of the butler's good cheer. Then, after kindly inviting him and Wigley, as well as some of the other principal servants, to pay us a visit, and arranging our order of march, we started to our feet, took our stations in front of the house, gave his Lordship and the Governor three parting cheers, and marched off with the Union flying, to the King's

"As soon as we had got seated in the large room of the inn, which overlooked the public street, and from a window of which we sported our Unionjack, the situation of the poor fellows in the boats came under inmediate consideration. Various schemes were proposed; but at length it was finally agreed on, that, while our bulky host was getting things ready, the whole of us should go down to the landing-place together, and there, under the superintendance of the President, we should each march our boat's crews up to the King's Head, by three of us at a time, with the music at their head, where giving them a proper refreshment, they were then to march back in the same manner, take to their boats, and push off for the fleet--thus giving way to the three next in order. The scheme was immediately put in execution; and such was the order and propriety of the fellows' behaviour, both in going and returning, that it excited universal applause from the admiring inhabitants.

"Having now got rid of our boats,

for, mind me, we were determined to have one night on't,—we returned in company once more to the King's Head, and took supper in a style of grandeur the most of us had never seen in our lives before. It was really smart work while it lasted, I assure you, Davies ; for such was the strength of our hale, hearty stomachs, thus unusually and unexpectedly excited, that the delicacies and dainties absolutely disappeared one after other as if by enchantment. We were soon palled, however, and the tables being cleared, the large ponderous bowl and the sparkling glass now crowned our jovial board. And now we did set to it, my lad, with both heart and hand; it was none of your mim-mouthed, calm, smirking, how-d'ye-do occasions, I assure you; but everywhere roaring, tearing, life and vigour. The toasts and music were loyalty to the masthead-the cheerings roaritorious and enthusiastic and the whole happy knot of us were absolutely swimming in the smooth sea of glory, when a waiting-man entering, announced the arrival of two strangers, who wished to speak with any one of the company.

"Who are they, my lad? inquired Jack Morris.

Why, who should they be, Jack,' interrupted Bill Senator, but cockswain Wigley, and that flashy-dressed, blowsy, big-bellied customer, as gave us the treat at the Governor's.'

"No, no, Bill, it can't be them, mate,' cried Patrick Glynn, 'and I'll tell you as why. Perry told me positively, just before we parted, as how it would be well on in the middle watch ere he and t'other fat fellow could possibly expect to get away for a moment. Now, as yet, d'ye see, why it aint six bells of the first one gone. So it can't be them, whoever it is.'

666

Can't you tell us at once who they are, my hearty?' inquired Charley Derry again.

"No, sir,' replied the cogging, smiling lad of the hand-towel, I really can't indeed, sir. They both appear to me, gents, to be some'at dressed like yourselves-smart jackets, fine wyte trowsers, and large rough boat-coats quite over all. They have newly arrived in town, gents, as I hear say, in a post-chay and four.'

"A post-chaise and four, and dressed like seamen,' said Valentine Joyce, 'why, they'll likely be two delegates of the Fleet from some quarter or other.'

"I'm a little inclined to think so too,' observed Jack Morris. 'Waiter, pray usher them into the room, my lad. Or stop, d—n it, Adams, go you -'twill be more respectful.'

"But the waiter had disappeared, and immediately returned, followed by two tall strapping fellows, one of whom was much younger than the other, though both appeared to be aware of their importance, and stood quite unabashed under the general scrutiny they excited from the eyes of all present.

"Pray, be seated, if you please, shipmates,' said Morris-when the youngest took the proffered chair without ceremony, while the elder made his way to the head of the table, and put a letter into the President's hand. "O, ay,' said Morris, after opening the letter, and rapidly glancing at its contents,' tis just as you said, Joyce -this comes from the Nore. Come, my lads, a bumper if you please, and that directly,-Here's our brothers at the Nore with three-times-three

The cheers

Mosley, strike up, boy!' were given with hearty good-will, while the band played Hearts of Oak. "You're just arrived, I'm informed, mates?' said Morris.

"Why, as to that matter,' replied the elder stranger, 'we ha'nt been above ten minutes in town yet, I believe,have we, Gregory?'

No,' replied the younger stranger, 'I doesn't think we have.'

"And I presume you were sent down here to see how the land lay,' continued Morris.

"You've guessed it, mate,' answered the elder stranger.

"Well, well, my lads, more of this directly,' said Morris; meantime, we must see if we han't something or other in the locker for you-since you must be both fatigued and hungry.Waiter, this way, my jolly fellowharkye, get a good substantial supper, piping hot, ready, in the next room, without a moment's delay, for these two brave lads. See that you loose not a moment now, there's a fine fellowand tell us when you're ready.'

"I shall be ready, sir, in an instant,' returned the smiling servantman with a bow, and bolted out of the room with the dexterity of a harlequin.-The conversation was immediately resumed.

"Have you had any good accounts from the North Fleet lately?' asked Morris.

66 6

Why, yes,' replied the elder stranger; 'we does get something or other from Yarmouth every other day, but nothing of any consequence to ever a one; for though they do seem to growl sadly, and not to be unwilling in the work, yet I don't know how it is, there is either something wrong about them in the way of understanding each other, or else they want pluck to stand it out bravely at once.

"Ah, that's a bad, bad sign indeed, shipmate,' said Morris; for if they don't stick firmly by one another, 'tis a gone cause with them. But it is a matter of little moment now.'

"I'm glad to hear you say so, shipmate,' cried the stranger; for, though we did not believe it, we did hear often and often coming down that you had got all settled-is it indeed true?'

66 6

'Quite so, my lad,' replied Morris; and thank God for it, say I, for it's an ugly job gone to bed.'