Excerpt from The Life of a Sailor It was my lot to be more fortunate; but I cannot for get what has passed before my own eyes. I will here men tion one anecdote to verify the above statements It will be seen that I was promoted as soon as my age and service permitted. I looked younger than I was - and I recollect poor Preston, when I exhibited my commission, turning round to Sir Alexander Gordon, and remarking, I say, Gordon, what the devil do the Lords of the Ad miralty mean by appointing such boys to my ship? If he had boys for lieutenants, he had grey-beards for mid shipmen. I was left commanding-officer one day; and, being engaged in some occupation below, was informed by the midshipman of the watch that the serj eant had a complaint to make against the master's mate. I went instantly on deck, and sent for the mate what was my surprise to find a young gentleman as midship men are termed - of upwards of forty years of age, with a grey head and weather-beaten countenance He stood before his beardless judge like Shylock before Portia. I reserved the case for the first-lieutenan t, and went below in my own cabin. I asked the particulars of poor Steel's life -it was the same as many others: he had been only thirty years in the service; and, having no interest, was likely to be thirty more without promotion. I urged him to go to the Admiralty and show himself and through my exertions he procured an interview with the First Lord. Steel mentioned the object of his visit, which was to be promoted. The that Lord said, Why, Mr. Steel, you are too old Steel modestly replied, that it was not his fault that he was not promoted in earlier life. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.