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208 time the possessor of a considerable part of the vast Continent of India, and ruler over more than a hundred million people. The equipment of the vessels of this Company was as elaborate as any man-of-war of that period; besides being, as already mentioned, expensively fitted for passengers. The ships, also, were allowed to fly the man-of-war pennant, and the crews slept in hammocks, piped up by the boatswain at seven bells in the morning watch, and stowed in nettings along the waist by the quartermasters. The crew of each vessel was divided into messes of eight men; a space allotted to them between the guns where their mess-gear was kept. Every commander in the Company's service was required to be at least twenty-five years of age, the chief mates twenty-three years, and the second mates twenty-two years of age. All were required also to have performed voyages in the China and East-India trade. The commander's uniform consisted of a blue coat, black-velvet lapels, cuffs, and collar, with bright gold embroidery, deep-buff waistcoat and breeches, buttons of yellow-gold metal, engraved with the Company's crest, cocked hat, side arms, and black stocks, or neck-cloths. The dress of the officers was slightly modified, according to the rank.

Many were the privileges and perquisites. So much so that five India or China voyages were estimated sufficient for a commander to be independent the remainder of his days, his profits on each voyage ranging from £8000 to £10,000. Aboard of each ship, ninety-seven tons of space