Page:Autobiography of Rear Admiral Charles Wilkes.djvu/67

41 the bearing of a high officer. He was proud and, I may say, austere but of a very kind heart and hospitable disposition and felt great pride in the Navy & the rearing of the young officers under him. He was very decided in his prejudices; while he encouraged those of whose characters he entertained a high opinion, he was a bitter enemy to the low and vulgar, and no officer could, if he lost his good opinion, expect to regain it. His presence was commanding and when in full uniform he gave as well as commanded respect. His head was square, full face and florid complexion, very irritable and fierce in his manner for the moment, but that soon passed over & he endeavored to make some amends when he had on reflection wrongfully assailed a young officer. He liked to see spirit in any officer and was always ready to side with him and excuse any difficulty which had been reported to him. He was over fifty years when I was under his command, and he had many peculiarities, one in particular on becoming excited as "Unto, unto, unto, leave me" or "my cabin." It was well understood by the Mids, and if anything was to be offered in explanation or excuse, then was not the time to make it.

I had (I suppose I may call it good fortune) to have been reported to him by Mr Cheever, the Chaplain and schoolmaster, as well grounded in Mathematics and versed in the problems of navigation; a like good report of my being a good sailor &, with care, would make a first class officer. This brought his attention more towards Me as I afterwards learnt there was scarcely a day when the names of the Young officers were brought before him that he did not ask about "Young Wilkes." The Comdre had great vanity and pride and was extremely particular in all & everything to have proper etiquette duly observed. He had a very small and well-shaped foot and was especially proud of it; I never saw him in soiled boots and even in his slippers it was apparent. When displeased & angry he had a forbidden black look, a countenance on which a smile of good humour could not last or occupy and his favorite utterance broke forth in tones of great harshness.

I once made an application to him at his office to be transferred from the Independence to the Guerrier [Guerriere] frigate, then fitting out. He was standing at his desk, inspecting a large book of ledger size, heard my request apparently in good part, took up the book, turning his face towards me, black & forbidding, and said passionately, "Unto, unto, sir, quit my office!" I turned & left without looking behind me, but I felt as if the Book was following me. In the subsequent part of the day I came upon him accidently in one of the Courts or narrow Streets of Boston, when he called me and asked me in a very kind Manner if I would take a glass of soda water which he was just going to do. I walked in and drank my glass, he desired me to wait, took a rough sheet of paper from the counter & with Pen and Ink gave Me orders to report to Comr M'Donough [Thomas Macdonough] for duty on board the Guerrier, handed it to me, & wished me well & left. In a few days after, I received a written invitation to dine at Jamaica Plains but I was not able to do so, but called to pay