[33] The former writer observes with great justice: “We are perhaps too much accustomed to rely on our instruments nowadays, and we neglect those signs which must after all have been the barometers and simpiesometers of Drake, Cavendish, Dampier, and all our daring band of naval and commercial navigators up to the end of the last century, and still are so for our hardy fishermen and coasters.” _The Sailor's Horn Book_, p. 240, 1851. [34] Captain William Snelgrave, in his _A New Account of Guinea and the Slave-Trade_, 1754, paints a lively picture of the behaviour and conversation of privateersmen. “I took leave of the Captain and got into my Hammock, tho' I could not sleep in my melancholy Circumstances. Moreover the execrable Oaths and Blasphemies I heard among the Ship's Company shock'd me to such a degree, that in Hell itself I thought there could not be worse; for tho' many seafaring men are given to swearing and taking God's Name in vain, yet I could not have imagined human Nature could ever so far degenerate, as to talk in the manner those abandoned wretches did.” P. 217. English Men of Action. With Portraits. Crown 8vo, Cloth. 2s. 6d. each. GENERAL GORDON. By Colonel Sir WILLIAM BUTLER. _SPECTATOR._—“This is beyond all question the best of the narratives of the career of General Gordon that have yet been published.” HENRY THE FIFTH. By the Rev. A. J. CHURCH. _SCOTSMAN._—“No page lacks interest; and whether the book is regarded as a biographical sketch or as a chapter in English military history it is equally attractive.” LIVINGSTONE. By Mr. THOMAS HUGHES. _SPECTATOR._—“The volume is an excellent instance of miniature biography.” LORD LAWRENCE. By Sir RICHARD TEMPLE. _LEEDS MERCURY._—“A lucid, temperate, and impressive summary.” WELLINGTON. By Mr. GEORGE HOOPER. _SCOTSMAN._—“The story of the great Duke's life is admirably told by Mr. Hooper.” DAMPIER. By Mr. W. CLARK RUSSELL. _ATHENÆUM._—“Mr. Clark Russell's practical knowledge of the sea enables him to discuss the seafaring life of two centuries ago with intelligence and vigour. As a commentary on Dampier's voyages this little book is among the best.” MONK. By Mr. JULIAN CORBETT. _SATURDAY REVIEW._—“Mr. Corbett indeed gives you the real man.” STRAFFORD. By Mr. H. D. TRAILL. _ATHENÆUM._—“A clear and accurate summary of Strafford's life, especially as regards his Irish government.” WARREN HASTINGS. By Sir ALFRED LYALL. _DAILY NEWS._—“May be pronounced without hesitation as the final and decisive verdict of history on the conduct and career of Hastings.” PETERBOROUGH. By Mr. W. STEBBING. _SATURDAY REVIEW._—“An excellent piece of work.” CAPTAIN COOK. By Mr. WALTER BESANT. _SCOTTISH LEADER._—“It is simply the best and most readable account of the great navigator yet published.” SIR HENRY HAVELOCK. By Mr. ARCHIBALD FORBES.