Sailors of that day spoke of God with the profound belief that He was their exalted fellow-countryman, and they did not scruple to charge Him with indifference to their nautical interests, if a foreigner, or a foreign vessel, happened to gain a monetary or seafaring advantage over them.  This is not a mere legend.  North Blyth, in the county of Northumberland, was inhabited by personalities who held definite opinions on these matters.  One old gentleman, whom I remember very well (his name was Readford, but he had the distinction of being better known as “Barley”—­why he was given this name there is no need to relate), held very strong views as to the functions and obligations of the Almighty.  He never doubted His existence or His power, and he always claimed a dispensation of benefit as the right of British patriots.

The following story, true in every essential, will show his reasons for doing so:  Barley was in command of a collier, which traded between Blyth and London.  On one of his voyages to London he encountered a strong head-wind, which caused him to have to beat “up Swin.”  A Dutch galliot—­type of vessel which has never had the reputation of being a racer—­was in company, to leeward of him.  Barley managed by dexterous manipulation to keep her there until the flood tide was well-nigh spent; but, alas for human fallibility, and the eccentric fluctuations of the wind, the Dutchman stood towards the north shore, while our hero, who was priding himself on the superior qualities of himself and his brig, stood towards the south, whereupon the Dutchman got a “slant of wind” which came off the north shore.  The result was the British vessel was badly weathered by the galliot.  Barley’s anger could not be appeased.  It was an offence against national pride and justice!  He forthwith called the attention of his chief officer to the indignity that had been thrust upon them.  “Look,” said he, in wrathful humiliation, “there’s God Almighty given that adjective Dutchman a leading wind and allowed His own countryman to be jammed on a lee shore!” It was said that Barley never really forgave this unpatriotic act, though he still adhered to the belief that the God of British seamen was stedfastly on the side of conservatives of every kind!

There is no class of workmen that is so much thought of and cared for as the sailor class, and there is none who need and deserve such consideration more.  It would be invidious to draw comparisons between classes, so that all I have to say on the point is that they have always compared favourably with those whose avocation is different from theirs.  They are susceptible to good or evil influences.  Perhaps not more susceptible to one than to the other; and considering the malevolent, thievish scoundrels by whom they are continually beset, their record does not compare badly with that of others.  Vagrancy is almost unknown amongst them, and if their vices are large their temptations are great; but, take them