Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: LEAVES FROM THE PRIVATE LOG OF A CAPTAIN. Is this a dinner? this a genial room ? No ! it's a temple and a hecatomb ! A solemn sacrifice performed in state ! You drink by measure, and to minutes eat. Pope. PortsmouthDecember 21st, shortest-day; thought it the longesttraps afloat, telegraphed for trunk' Foul-weather flag up'wind-bound ashorestreets deserted, even of soldiersmarine-officers moored in barracks.Noonregular galesgreat guns and small arms" stood-ofF- and-on" Admiral's officedowsed swabsditto gold-laced scraperfshipped storm dittodriven off the port"bore up" for billiard-roomheardraids were there!rounded tohauled again to the windremembered Captain Rigour's rebuke for shaking hands in the street with a youngster. Mem. Impropriety made an impressionaltered course for Crown arrived safe; pored over "printed instructions"Query, Captain's companion.5. p. m. Barometer fellrose to dress for Admiral's dinnercursed boredreadful dilemmawhite pantaloons at the wash.Mem. Wish pompous people were less particular thought of sending excuse; changed mindlook like contempt.Query, Contempt and disrespect synonimous terms.Resolved to rig in Wellington blues.Mem. Colour suitable to sex.Swabs No. 1 aboard; shipped No. 2looking too old to dazzleditto myself.Mem. Physical causes: protracted war, eifects of the peace.5 30' Rigged, rough and readylooked alternately at watch and weatherthought time unusually long - ditto invitationgrand entertainment39 Epaulets. t Gold-laced cocked-hat. The Inn. Query, A misnomer.Practised in glass asking Admiral's wife to winedetected by sudden entree of waiter." Glass of wine, did you say, sir?" Took up the cue" Yes, wine and water, if you please." Mem. Lock door when dress for the future.Si...