storming fortresses, and the siege of Gibraltar; the Purser steadies
this wild conversation by occasional allusions to the rule of three; the
Professor is always charged with a scholarly reflection, or an apt line
from the classics, generally Ovid; the Surgeon's stories of the
amputation-table judiciously serve to suggest the mortality of the whole
party as men; while the good chaplain stands ready at all times to give
them pious counsel and consolation.

Of course these gentlemen all associate on a footing of perfect
social equality.

Next in order come the Warrant or Forward officers, consisting of the
Boatswain, Gunner, Carpenter, and Sailmaker. Though these worthies
sport long coats and wear the anchor-button; yet, in the estimation
of the Ward-room officers, they are not, technically speaking, rated
gentlemen. The First Lieutenant, Chaplain, or Surgeon, for example,
would never dream of inviting them to dinner, In sea parlance, "they
come in at the hawse holes;" they have hard hands; and the carpenter
and sail-maker practically understand the duties which they are called
upon to superintend. They mess by themselves. Invariably four in number,
they never have need to play whist with a dummy.

In this part of the category now come the "reefers," otherwise "middies"
or midshipmen. These boys are sent to sea, for the purpose of making
commodores; and in order to become commodores, many of them deem it
indispensable forthwith to commence chewing tobacco, drinking brandy
and water, and swearing at the sailors. As they are only placed on board
a sea-going ship to go to school and learn the duty of a Lieutenant; and
until qualified to act as such, have few or no special functions to
attend to; they are little more, while midshipmen, than supernumeraries