By the seaside on the coast of Northumberland, there stands one of the prettiest little villages in all England.  Tacked on to the north and south end of it there are two stretches of sand unequalled in their clear glossy beauty.  It was from this spot that a boy of twelve summers, smitten with a craze for the sea, secretly left his home one December morning at three o’clock with the object of becoming a sailor.  He made his way to the beach, walked to a seaport, and after much persuasive eloquence in which he recklessly pledged himself to impossible undertakings, the negotiations were ratified by his being told by a burly skipper of the old school that though he was very small, yet seeing he exhibited such eagerness for the fray, he would look over that, to which the seaman in embryo promptly replied, “But, sir, I will grow bigger.”  And the weather-beaten old mariner responded, “I hope you will; but mind, you’ll have to work.”

The poor child, fearful lest any hitch should come in the way, assured him that he could work very hard, and that he could run up aloft, as he had tried it aboard a schooner which came once a year to his home with coals for the squire.  He was anxious that his accomplishments should be tested without delay.  His future commander interjected that he would sign his indentures the following week, which was done, after communication with the boy’s family; and he proceeded aboard with his kit made up of the following articles.  I give this, as it may be useful to parents who have boys going to sea:—­

1 Box. 1 Go-ashore suit. 2 Suits of working clothes. 1 Suit of oilskins. 1 Pair of sea-boots. 1 Pair of shoes. 3 Changes of flannels. 6 Pairs of stockings. 2 Mufflers. 4 Towels. 3 Coloured flannel shirts. 1 Bar of soap. 6 Collars, 2 neckties. 2 Pillow-slips. 1 Bed and full set of bedding. 2 Caps. 1 Canvas bag. 1 Ditty bag well stored with needles, thread,
  buttons, thimble, worsted to darn stockings, and
cloth to patch worn or torn clothes.

This outfit is quite ample, and is more than double what some poor boys had to start life with; indeed, scores of them had to depend on what their first quarter’s wages would provide for them.  In many country homes boys were taught, as this boy was, sewing, darning, and even washing.  The knowledge of it cannot eat anything, and it is immensely useful to have it.  This might be commended to present-day parents in town and country who have lads to send out into the world.  There is no loss of dignity in being able to do something for yourself in the event of being too poor to pay for having it done for you.  A more exhilarating sight could not be witnessed than that of sailors and sailor boys sitting sewing their clothes or doing their week’s washing.