"Alas! poor Cary!" said he, in an altered tone of voice; "was it _your_ chest that we thought ourselves so fortunate in finding, and that we opened with such glee?" Philip, deeply affected, softly closed the lid: for they both were in too melancholy a mood to continue to examine the contents of the chest; nor was it till several days had passed that they assumed firmness enough to open it again. They found in this chest a complete set of mathematical instruments, and a small but valuable selection of books, fitting for the library of a young officer; comprising the choicest works on navigation, astronomy, and geometry; and two or three volumes of poetry and history. Some of these were wetted by the sea-water, but Lord Robert carefully spread them to dry. They also found a few changes of linen, an undress jacket or two; and Lord Robert drew forth with much grief, from a corner of the chest, Cary's flute. "This," said he, "should I ever be permitted to revisit my native country, I will carry to England, and keep as long as I live, in memory of our deceased friend." Though they were in sad want of linen and clothes, Lord Robert felt a pang of regret when he saw Philip busy in removing his epaulet to Cary's half-uniform jacket, and laying out for his use some of his shirts and cravats, which, however, were of the greatest use to him, and highly beneficial to his health. Soon after this, the rainy season set in, which is usual to these latitudes; and now they found a source of delight and advantage in the books which had been so opportunely thrown in their way. Lord Robert was an accomplished young man; he had received a most superior education; and was not only perfect in all acquirements befitting his rank, but had made a considerable progress in those sciences which are necessary to be known in order to obtain perfection in naval duties.[5] [Footnote 5: The sciences requisite to form a complete seaman are beautifully described by Falconer:-- "Him Science taught by mystic lore to trace The planets wheeling in eternal race; To mark the ship in floating balance held, By earth attracted, and by seas repelled; Or point her devious track through climes unknown, That leads to every shore, and every zone.-- He saw the moon through heaven's blue concave glide, And into motion charm the expanding tide; While earth impetuous round her axle rolls, Exalts her watery zone, and sinks the poles. Light and attraction from their genial source, He saw still wandering with diminish'd force; While on the margin of declining day Night's shadowy cone reluctant melts away." To add to this, "That never seaman more serenely brave Led Britain's conquering squadrons o'er the wave." _The Shipwreck._