have done every morning for about a month, as I stood on the Custom-house quay, giving orders for the outfit of the little craft.  At first, as she bobbed and pitched with the flood-tide, I used to be a little giddy and rather qualmish, but at last I learned to look on without my head reeling.  I began to fancy myself very much of a sailor, a delusion considerably encouraged by a huge P. jacket and a sou’-wester, both of which, though it was in the dog-days, Agnes insisted upon my wearing, saying I looked more like Dirk Hatteraick, who, I understood, was one of her favourite heroes in Walter Scott.  In fact, after she suggested this, she and all her friends called me nothing but Dirk.

“Well, at last, after heaven knows how many excuses on my part, and entreaties for delay, a day was appointed for our first excursion.  I shall never forget that day—­the entire night before it I did not close my eyes; the skipper had told me in his confounded sea-jargon, that if the wind was in one quarter we should have a short tossing sea; and if in another a long rolling swell; and if in a third, a happy union of both —­in fact, he made it out that it could not possibly blow right, an opinion I most heartily coincided in, and most devoutly did I pray for a calm, that would not permit of our stirring from our moorings, and thus mar our projected party of pleasure.  My prayer was unheard, but my hopes rose on the other hand, for it blew tremendously during the entire night, and although there was a lull towards morning, the sea, even in the river, was considerable.

“I had just come to the conclusion that I was safe for this time, when the steward poked his head into the room and said,

“’Mr. Brail wishes to know, sir, if he’ll bend the new mainsail to-day, as it’s blowing rather fresh, and he thinks the spars light.’

“’Why the devil take him, he would not have us go out in a hurricane; surely, Pipes, we could not take out ladies to-day?’

“’O, bless your heart, yes, sir; it blows a bit to be sure, but she’s a good sea-boat, and we can run for Arklow or the Hook, if it comes fresher.’

“’Oh, nonsense, there’s no pleasure in that; besides I’m sure they won’t like it—­the ladies won’t venture, you’ll see.’

“’Ay sir, but they’re all on board already:  there’s eight ladies in the cabin, and six on deck, and as many hampers of victuals and as much crockery as if we were a-goin’ to Madeira.  Captain Grantham, sir, the soldier officer, with the big beard, is a mixing punch in the grog-tub.’

“‘From the consequences of this day I proclaim myself innocent,’ said I with a solemn voice, as I drew on my duck trowsers, and prepared to set out.

“‘And the mainsail, sir,’ said the steward, not understanding what I said.

“‘I care not which,’ said I, doggedly; ’act or part in this wilful proceeding I’ll not take.’

“‘Ay, ay, sir,’ said the stupid wretch, ’then I’ll say you’re coming, and he may stretch the large canvas; for the skipper says he likes a wet jacket when he has gentlemen out.’