( 38 )
hall in order to undergo that ceremony. At length the beadle called my name; and after a strict examination, the chairman ordered me to withdraw. In less than a quarter of an hour I was called in again and received my qualifications sealed up and was ordered to pay five shillings; after which I was obliged to give three shillings and sixpence to the beadles and a shilling to an old woman who swept the hall: this disbursement suck my finances to thirteen pence halfpenny, with which I would willingly have gone home, but was prevented by my companions. who said we must deliver our letters of qualification at the Navy-office, before one o'clock; we went thither, and gave them to the Secretary, who opened and read them, and I was mightily pleased to find myself qualified for second mate of a third rate. When he had stuck them altogether on a file we went down stairs and conferred together on our expectations, where I understood that each of them had been recommended to one or other of the Commissioners; and each of them promised the first vacancy that should fall; but that none of them relied (illegible text) upon that interest without a preresent to the Secretary, and I was asked what I
