Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 10: The GuideSylvester, Charles Herbert
General
Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 10: The Guide
Sylvester, Charles Herbert
Children's literature; Literature -- Collections
"Press Gang." To secure recruits for her navy, England at one time
permitted her men to be seized and forcibly carried on board ship, where
they were compelled to perform sailors' duties on long cruises. The
bands of cruel men who captured the recruits were known as "press
gangs."
Stanza III. A boatswain is one of the minor officers of a ship. He
usually has charge of one of the small boats, such as would carry off a
recruit to the big ship.
Stanza VIII. John Benbow was a famous English Admiral who died in 1702
from wounds received in a four days' fight with the French fleet in the
West Indies. His captains refused to obey orders and Benbow was unable
to win the battle. When his right leg was shot off he refused to go
below but continued to direct the conflict from the deck. "I had rather
have lost both legs," he said, "than have seen this dishonor brought on
the English nation. But, hark ye--if another shot should take me off,
behave like men and fight it out." Two of his captains were tried,
convicted and shot. The Admiral himself died after three or four months
of suffering.
Stanza IX. A tender is a ship that carries supplies or conveys messages
from one to another of the ships in a squadron.
Stanza XI. "The Virgin and the Scales." The Virgin (Virgo) and the
Scales (Libra) are two constellations known to the ancients. A person
born while these constellations were to be seen in the sky (from near
the end of August to near the end of October) was said to be born under
them and was believed to have certain characteristics. In the case of
Sally Brown the stars were cruel. She could not follow her beau, Ben,
but must walk about raising her voice in wailing.
Stanza XV. "To pipe his eye" is a slang phrase meaning to look sharply.
Stanza XVI. "_All's Well_," the usual cry of a watchman, not the name of
a song.
"Pigtail" was a kind of chewing tobacco much used by sailors. It was
twisted in hard rolls.
_The Definition of a Gentleman_
(Volume IV, page 170)
There is nothing in _Journeys Through Bookland_ that will better repay
thought, especially for the boys, than this extract from the writings of
the great Cardinal Newman. It affords, however, a host of little tests
of character that everyone can apply to himself; for "gentleman," here,
is used in its generic sense and applies with equal force to both sexes.
It is not to be read hastily and then laid aside, for no one can get its
full meaning from a single perusal. Every word is a chapter, every
sentence a volume. Read properly, each sentence must carry with it a
personal application, which can be seen as the reader asks, "Is this
what I am?"
Am I then, one who never gives pain?
Am I mainly occupied in removing the obstacles that hinder the action of
my friends and acquaintances? Am I the easy chair that gives them bodily
comfort, the good fire that dispels the cold and makes them comfortable
and free to act?
Do I try always to make everyone at ease and at home?
Am I
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account