We must confess that our faith in this class of excellent fellows is very small;--these men who are always sinning, and tempting others to sin, in the most amiable manner. There are few individuals who do more mischief in their day and generation than these _good-hearted_ young men, these sworn enemies to temperance and morality. Like phosphoric wood, they only shine in the dark, concealing under a gay, brilliant exterior, the hollowness and corruption that festers within. Stephen Corrie was one of those men, whose heart is always proclaimed to be in the _right place_, whose bad deeds men excuse, and women adore. The day he made his first appearance upon the deck, the captain flew into a towering passion, and marching up to him, demanded with a great oath "How the devil he came on board, and what money he had to pay his passage?" Stephen showed his white teeth, and replied with a provoking smile-- "Not as the fair Cleopatra did to the great Caesar, rolled up in a feather-bed; but under cover of a woman's petticoat, most noble Captain." "Have done with your d----d fooling! Who was the bold hussy that dared to smuggle you on board?" "I never betray a woman's secret," returned the audacious youth, bowing very low, with an air of mock gravity. "God bless the dear sex, it has befriended me ever since I could run alone! Women have been my weakness from the hour that I had discrimination enough to know the difference between a smooth cheek and a hairy one." "And pray how do you intend to live?" "Under the favour and patronage of the dear angels, who will never suffer their faithful slave and admirer to perish for lack of food." "I wish them joy of their big baby," cried the rough seaman. "A most hopeful and promising child he seems by this light! And your name, sir?" "Stephen Corrie." "Your profession!" "A saddler by trade, an actor by choice, a soldier by necessity. I hated the first of these, and never took well to the saddle. The second pleased me; but not my audience. And the last I took French leave of the other night, and determined to try how salt water would agree with my constitution." "How do you think a raw hide would agree with you?" growled the Captain. "He would be a brave fellow who would attempt to administer it," said Stephen, with a flashing eye. "But to tell you the truth, I had too much of it at home in the shop. It was my father's receipt for every sin of the flesh, and the free administration of this devilish weapon made me what I am. But softly, Captain. It is of no use putting yourself into a passion. You can't throw me overboard, and you may make me useful, since Providence has placed me here." "Confound your impudence!" roared out old Boreas, in his stentorian voice. "Do you think that Providence cares for such a young scamp as you?"