the officer is the rule for the moment, and the men can never fall into regular habits.  Sir Edward’s observation had taught him, that while the power to punish can be entrusted only to the discretion of the commander, it is right, on every ground, that it should be exercised under some check.  Accordingly, soon after he went to India, he required a monthly return of punishment from every ship in his fleet; and the Admiralty, struck with the simplicity of the plan, and not less with the excellent effects, adopted it for all the navy.  This was the first step in the milder and more effectual system of discipline which has since prevailed; and if he had no other claim than to have originated this, it would be sufficient to entitle him to the gratitude of every officer and man in the service.

He sailed from India in February, 1809, with a fleet of Indiamen under his convoy.  Off the Isle of France they encountered a violent hurricane, in which the Culloden was in the greatest danger.  For three days no provisions could be cooked, and the crew subsisted chiefly on dry rice, with a dram every four hours.  So violent was the motion of the ship, as she rolled from broadside to broadside, that the chain-pumps were almost useless.  All the quarter-boats were lost, the quarter-galleries washed away, and three of the dead lights stove.  Fortunately her bottom was sound, but she broke much in the upper works; the bolts working themselves loose, and many of the knees giving way.  Even the cabin bulkheads were thrown down.  It was suggested to the Admiral, who was almost constantly on deck, encouraging the men at the pumps, that the ship would be materially eased if the upper deck guns were thrown overboard.  He replied, “I do not think it necessary; she will do very well, and what would become of the convoy if we meet an enemy?” It was his intention, if the gale had continued, to cut away the mainmast, which, being very heavy—­for it weighed twenty-one tons—­strained the ship exceedingly.  The mizen-mast had given way in the top.  Four of the convoy foundered, and the rest were scattered; but all which escaped the gale re-assembled at St. Helena, and, with the Culloden, arrived safely in England.

FOOTNOTE: 

[11] Bergeret rose to be an Admiral, and was not long since Commander-in-Chief at Brest.

CHAPTER IX.

NORTH SEA AND FIRST MEDITERRANEAN COMMAND.

The expedition to the Scheldt was being fitted out when Sir Edward arrived from India; and had he reached England but a few days sooner, it was understood that he would have received the naval command.  The military commander-in-chief, whose friendship he had long enjoyed, wished him to be appointed; but the final arrangements of the Admiralty had been already completed.