Produced by Steven Gibbs and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net THE LIEUTENANT AND COMMANDER; BEING AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF HIS OWN CAREER, FROM FRAGMENTS OF VOYAGES AND TRAVELS BY CAPTAIN BASIL HALL, R.N., F.R.S. LONDON: BELL AND DALDY, 186, FLEET STREET, AND SAMPSON LOW, SON, AND CO. 47, LUDGATE HILL. 1862. PREFACE. The present volume is rather a condensation than an abridgment of the later volumes of Captain Hall's "Fragments of Voyages and Travels," inasmuch as it comprises all the chapters of the second and third series, only slightly abbreviated, in which the author describes the various duties of the naval lieutenant and commander, the personal narrative being the framework, and his own experience in both capacities providing the details. The editor has no hesitation in stating, after the careful perusal and analysis he has necessarily made of this work, and that, with a tolerably extensive knowledge of books, he knows of none which may, with more propriety, be placed in the hands of young men, whatever may be their destination in life; but more especially are they adapted for the use of young officers and all aspirants to a seaman's life. The personal narrative, slight though it is, renders it very amusing, and every point the author makes inculcates a rigorous attention to "duty" duly tempered with discretion and humanity in commanding officers. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Taking a line in the service--Duty of officers--The dashing boys--Dashing boys ashore--Philosophers afloat--Naval statesmen--Scientific officers--Hard-working officers--Poetical aspirants--Taking a line CHAPTER II. A sailor on shore--Irish hospitality--A sailor ashore--Irish factions--Irish scenery--Land-locked bay--Reflections and plans--An awkward dilemma--A retreat--A country party--A medical experiment--My reception CHAPTER III. Tricks upon travellers--Irish refinement--A wise resolve--After dinner--The second bottle--One bottle more--Second thoughts best--The game of humbug--The climax--You're off, are you?--A practical bull--Irish hospitality CHAPTER IV. The Admiralty List--Chances of promotion--The Admiral's list--My own disappointment--A good start--Homeward bound--A spell of bad weather CHAPTER V. The tropical regions at sea--Sir Nathaniel Dance--The old Indian ships--Social life at sea--Details of the voyage--The Canary Islands--The Trade-winds--Changes of climate--The variable winds--North-east Trades--Our limited knowledge--The great monsoons CHAPTER VI.