the Boston, and the Falmouth, are instances of what we mean.  In behalf of the Warren, and the Lexington, we believe no discreet man was ever heard to utter one syllable, except as wholesome crafts.  But the Poughkeepsie was a very different sort of vessel from any of the “ten sloops.”  She was every way a good ship, and, as Jack expressed it, was “a good goer.”  The most severe nautical critic could scarcely have found a fault in her, as she passed out between the islets, on the evening of the day mentioned, in the sort of undress we have described.  The whole scene, indeed, was impressive, and of singular maritime characteristics.

The little islets scattered about, low, sandy, and untenanted, were the only land in sight—­all else was the boundless waste of waters.  The solitary light rose like an aquatic monument, as if purposely to give its character to the view.  Captain Mull had caused its lamps to be trimmed and lighted for the very reason that had induced Spike to do the same thing, and the dim star they presented was just struggling into existence, as it might be, as the briliance left by the setting sun was gradually diminished, and finally disappeared.  As for the ship, the hull appeared dark, glossy, and graceful, as is usual with a vessel of war.  Her sails were in soft contrast to the colour of the hull, and they offered the variety and divergence from straight lines which are thought necessary to perfect beauty.  Those that were set, presented the symmetry in their trim, the flatness in their hoist, and the breadth that distinguish a man-of-war; while those that were loose, floated in the air in every wave and cloud-like swell, that we so often see in light canvas that is released from the yards in a fresh breeze.  The ship had an undress look from this circumstance, but it was such an undress as denotes the man or woman of the world.  This undress appearance was increased by the piping down of the hammocks, which left the nettings loose, and with a negligent but still knowing look about them.

When half a mile from the islets, the main-yard was braced aback, and the maintopsail was laid to the mast.  As soon as the ship had lost her way, two or three boats that had been towing astern, each with its boat-sitter, or keeper, in it, were hauled up alongside, or to the quarters, were “hooked on,” and “run up” to the whistling of the call.  All was done at once, and all was done in a couple of minutes.  As soon as effected, the maintopsail was again filled, and away the ship glided.

Captain Mull was not in the habit of holding many consultations with his officers.  If there be wisdom in a “multitude of counsellors,” he was of opinion it was not on board a man-of-war.  Napoleon is reported to have said that one bad general was better than two good ones; meaning that one head to an army, though of inferior quality, is better than a hydra of Solomons, or Cesars.  Captain Mull was much of the same way of thinking,