White Jacket

Chapter 53

SEAFARING PERSONS PECULIARLY SUBJECT TO BEING UNDER THE WEATHER.

--THE EFFECTS OF THIS UPON A MAN-OF-WAR CAPTAIN.

It has been said that some midshipmen, in certain cases, are

guilty of spiteful practices against the man-of-war's-man. But as

these midshipmen are presumed to have received the liberal and

lofty breeding of gentlemen, it would seem all but incredible

that any of their corps could descend to the paltriness of

cherishing personal malice against so conventionally degraded a

being as a sailor. So, indeed, it would seem. But when all the

circumstances are considered, it will not appear extraordinary

that some of them should thus cast discredit upon the warrants

they wear. Title, and rank, and wealth, and education cannot

unmake human nature; the same in cabin-boy and co