"You know, my boy, you have always said that you would like to go to sea.

I had no interest that way, but six months ago I wrote to my nephew Charles, who is, as you know, a first lieutenant in the navy, and asked him if he thought he could get you a midshipman's berth.

He wrote back to say that he was at present on half pay, and feared it would be a long time before he was afloat again, as there were but few ships in commission, and he had not much interest.

But if he were appointed he might be able to get you a berth on board the ship.

As that didn't seem very hopeful, I thought it better to say nothing to you about it.