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A ship who attempted to dress on her service allowance of paint would in three months be as disreputable as a battery or regiment which kept its mess or band on the strict army footing. Therefore, over and above anything that they may secure by strategy and foresight, the officers must dip into their own pockets to supply the many trifles (none of them cheap) which make for the smartness of a ship. This was forcibly brought home to me when I admired a shield and scroll-work at the bows of a large cruiser. 'Yes,' said a friend, 'it takes about fifty books (of gold-leaf) to gild that decently.'

'No. Seventy,' said another.

'How d'you know?'

'Well, somebody's got to gild it, and the Yard don't give you seventy books for nothing,' was the significant reply.

If there were any means of reckoning, the tax-payer would be somewhat astonished at the sums spent by Navy and Army for the privilege of serving the Queen. Both services have curious and crusted tales bearing on this head.

As the comfort and efficiency of the ship, not to mention the Captain's peace of mind, depend on the First Lieutenant, the Captain as a rule takes good care to pick his own man. Here