These two lists differ essentially in one material feature.  As a matter of course, the Admiral’s List possesses some degree of stability; since a place upon it is generally won by long service under his flag, and retained there by personal esteem or family connection.  An Admiral’s follower, indeed, far from being a term of reproach, is always one of honour, as it implies the confidence and regard of the flag-officer.  To get placed therefore, however near the end, on the good books of a rising Admiral is almost a certain road to promotion.

On the other hand, the Admiralty List is kept a profound secret, or, what comes nearly to the same thing, is kept strictly out of sight of those it most concerns.  It is well known to be formidably intricate in its arrangements, and very slippery in its promises; indeed, from the circumstance of its depending on the fluctuating interests of party politics, it must be essentially pie-crusty in its texture.  For it is sometimes thought in the political world that as much may be done by propitiating antagonists as by rewarding friends.  How all this may be in sound principle I cannot tell; but nothing in practice can be more unsteady, or less to be relied upon, as I too well know, than this said Admiralty List.  Still, the advantages of getting his name on this precious little slip of paper are very great, though it be a most unofficial-looking note sheet, as I can testify, from having once incidentally been afforded a glimpse of one, on which, to my horror, my own name was not!  If the admiral of the station be also a personal friend, that source of favour, of course, always adds another string to the young man’s bow.  Circumstances likewise occasionally arise which enable an admiral, who has an officer’s interest really at heart, to give him an extra lift at the right moment, and in the right direction, provided his name actually stands on the Admiralty List, even though it be ever so low down.

Before sailing for India, accordingly, I took a world of pains to make out this grand point, tormented my friends and relations most wofully, and, as I conceived, with eventual success.  A distinct assurance was given to a near connection of my own, and a member of parliament, that my name would certainly stand on the First Lord’s list, to be sent out to India in his Majesty’s ship Volage, of which I had the farther good fortune to be appointed junior lieutenant.  A change at the Admiralty was then confidently expected; and I took every care, as I thought, to have it arranged that my name should not be omitted when the new First Lord came into power.  Little dreamed I that, in the melee of official patronage and personal favour which shortly afterwards took place at headquarters, my poor name would be dropped out altogether.  The provoking consequence was, however, that I had the mortification of seeing sundry capital vacancies in India pass by, one after another, which, had I occupied even the very low place on the fresh list which I had filled on the old one, might have secured my promotion several years sooner than it came.