One of our diversions in the _Galatea_ when she was at sea, was to listen to the conversations which used repeatedly to occur between a certain worthy member of the Duke's suite and the old quartermaster. The member of the staff in question had endeared himself to us by his high seriousness. He dealt with the most trifling incidents of life in a spirit of preternatural and wholly sincere solemnity. Supposing that you told him that a common friend had fallen off his horse and bruised his leg, our member of staff would instantly ship a countenance of intense concern.
"Bruised his leg? You don't say so! Good God! Has he indeed?"
"Has he now? Well, well. Bruised his leg! I hope it's not serious. I do hope it's not serious. Tut-tut! Bruised his leg, you say?"
"It's not serious. But he's bruised his leg."
"I'm delighted to hear it's not serious. But--bruised his leg. I am really distressed."
Among other matters, our friend took his family very seriously. One of his ancestors had been an admiral; and it was this distinguished officer who made the link between the member of staff and the quartermaster. The member of staff used to stroll on the quarterdeck in the evening, and fall into talk with the seamen.
"Well, Jones. Good evening, Jones. I suppose, now, you've heard of my uncle, the admiral?"
"Heard of 'im, sir? I should think I 'ad heard of 'im. Ah, he was a _man_, he was. He could handle a ship, he could--ah, and handle the men, too!"
"Why, where did you serve with him, Jones?"
"Where, sir? Where not? All over the world, sir. Ah, he was a man!"
"I'm delighted to meet anyone who knew a member of my family so well, Jones--delighted, I assure you."
"Knew 'im? Why, sir, to know 'im was to admire 'im, as the saying is. Many a time I've seen the men turn out _for_ to admire 'im, sir.
"Have you indeed, Jones--have you indeed! Dear me. Most interesting, I am sure. I daresay a glass of grog would not come amiss to you, Jones?"
"Wery kind of you, I'm sure, sir. It 'ud be a pleasure to drink your health, and the admiral's too, sir. Ah, he was a man!"
Mr Jones, afterwards, forward on the lower deck, to envious friends:
"Pretty sweet conversation that, mates. I wonder 'oo the b----y h--l 'is uncle might 'a been!"