Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 3.djvu/133

 to table. I have finished a dozen and a half this morning, besides that d—d old.tom cat." The mystery was now explained, and I afterwards found out (every man having his hobby) that the idiosyncrasy of this officer's disposition had led him to the practice of neutralizing the males of any species of bird or beast, in order to render them more palatable at the table.

"Well, Sir," he continued, "how do you like your new ship—how do you like your old captain?—good fellow, is'nt he?—d—n his eyes—countryman of mine—I knew him when his father hadn't as much money as would jingle on a tombstone. That fellow owes every thing to me. I introduced him to the duke of ——, and he got on by that interest; but, I say, what do you think of the Halifax girls? —nice! a'nt they?"

I expressed my admiration of them. " Ay, ay, they'll do, won't they?—we'll have some fine fun—give the girls a party at George's Island—hay-making—green gowns—