Tom Hazard was an unthinking boy, and would not settle to any business at home, and so ventured one day in a frolic to go on the water with a party of young folks; and, as Tom staid out late at night, he was met on coming ashore by a press-gang, who took him on board a man-of-war, from which, after some time, he made his escape, and entered on board the Desperate Privateer, hazarding his life for a golden chain, or a broken limb. And now, poor fellow, when it is too late, he sorely laments his situation, for, having lost a leg, he wanders with some of his companions, and joins in their mournful ditty.
We poor sailors, lame and blind,
Now your charity would sue;
Treat us not with words unkind,
But a spark of pity shew.Where the stormy billows roar,
Many a year we plough’d the main:
Far, to east or western shore,
Luxuries for you to gain.Far from friends and houses warm,
(Comforts such as you can boast,)
We have braved the howling storm,
Shipwreck’d on a desert coast.Many a hardship have we known;
Round and round the world we’ve past;
Now, our limbs and eye-sight gone,
Come to beggary at last!
61. The Admiralty Office.
This is in that part of the street between Charing Cross and Parliament Street which is called White Hall, Westminster, having capacious apartments for the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, who direct the affairs of the navy. The telegraph receives information, and gives instructions, in fair weather, to the various commanders of ships at the different sea-ports. This invention was first practised with success in France, and is admirably contrived to convey intelligence in a very expeditious manner.
62. The Sailing Match.
Take care, my lads, not to crowd too much sail, or the boat may upset! There they go! from Blackfriars’ Bridge, through Westminster Bridge, to Vauxhall, and back again. What a number of boats there are on the water! Let us hope no lives will be lost, for it seems rather dangerous to be near such fast-sailing boats in a loaded wherry; and, as it is much the safest to be on shore, we would recommend every little boy or girl to keep off the water at such times.