date or details. There is no record among the papers before me; and
I can only vaguely recall what could hardly be read for the sense of
agony, was never discussed, and was driven into the most oblivious
recesses of the soul fifty years ago. There was a story about
having let a boat's crew, of which he was in charge, get drunk and
over-stay their time. One of them deserted; and apparently
prevarication ran to the bounds of perjury, if it did not overpass
them. (N.B.--Seeing seamen flogged was one of the sickening horrors
that haunted Clarence in the Clotho.) Also, when on shore at Malta
with the young man whose name I will not record--his evil genius--he
was beguiled or bullied into a wine-shop, and while not himself was
made the cat's-paw of some insolent practical joke on the
lieutenant; and when called to account, was so bewildered and
excited as to use unpardonable language.

Whatever it might have been in detail, so much was proved against
him that he was dismissed his ship, and his father was recommended
to withdraw him from the service, as being disqualified by want of
nerve. Also, it was added more privately, that such vicious
tendencies needed home restraint. The big bully, his corrupter,
bore witness against him, but did not escape scot free, for one of
the captains spoke to him in scathing tones of censure.

Whenever my mother was in trouble, she always re-arranged the
furniture, and a family crisis was always heralded by a revolution
of chairs, tables, and sofas. She could not sit still under
suspense, and, during these terrible days the entire house underwent
a setting to rights. Emily attended upon her, and I sat and dusted
books. No doubt it was much better for us than sitting still. My
father's letter came by the morning mail, telling us of the