New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-10-31

7
within the liberties OF the Ciry Of London, and
within bearing OF Bow Bells when their clashing
voices were not drowned BY the uproar In the
streets set there were hints OF adventurous and
romantic story TO be observed IN some OF the ada
cent objects. Cog and Magog held their state
within ten minutes walk: the Royal Exchange
was close al hand the Bank OF England with its
vaults Of gold and silver down among the dead
men underground. was their ma gnIhcent neighbor
Just round the corner stood the rich East India
House, teeming with suggestions OF precious STUDS
and stones. tigers, elephants, howdahs. hookahs.
umbrellas. palm trees, palanquIns, and gorgeous
princes o. n brown complexion sitting on carpets
with their slippers ves much TUNED up a, the toes
ANYWHERE in the immediate vicinity there might be
seen pictures Of ships speeding away full sail 70 all
parts OF the world Quitting warehouses ready 20
pack oil anybody anywhere, fully equipped IN hall
an hour and little timber midshipmen II obsolete
naval uniforms. eternay employed outside the shop
doors oil nautical Observation-Disclosures in taking OBJ
seryaticns OF the hackney coaches
sole master and proprietor OF one % these ELI
gies-O that which might BE- called. familiarity, the
woodenest-ol that which thrust Itself out above
the pavement riChtleg foremost, with suavlty the
least endurahle and had the shoe buckles and flap
ped waistcoat the least reCOncilable 70 human rea
son, and bore its right eye the most Extensively
disprOportionate piece Of machlnery-sole master
and proprietor Of that midshipman. and proud Of
him too, elderly gentleman IN Welsh Wig had
paid house-rent. taxes, rates and dues TOR more
Years than many tulI--rown naidshipman OF flesh
and blood has numbered in his life and midship
men who have attained pretty green old age have
not been wanting III the English navy
The stock III trade OF this old gentleman com
prised chronumeters, barometers, telescopes, COM
passes, charts. maps, sextants. quadrants and
specimens of every kind OF instrument used
IN the working OF a ships course or the keep
ing OF ships reckoning or the prosecuting OF
ships discoveries. Objects in brass and glass were
in his drawers and on his shelves, which none but
the initiated could have found the top OF or guessed
the use OF or havln: once examined, could nave
ever got back again into their mahogany nests
without assistance. Everything was damned into
the tichtesc cases fitted into the narrowest cor
ners fenced mp behind the most impairment cush-
ions and screwed into the acutest angles, 10 pre-
vent its philosophical composure from being dis
tnrbed by the rolling OF the sea Such exuaordn
ary precautions were taken IN every instance 10
sa,, room and keep the thing compact and SO
much practical navigation vas lifted and cushioned
and screwed into every box whether the box was
mere slab as some were, or something between
q cooked hat and a star fish others were. and
those quite mild and modest boxes as compared
with others y that the shop itself. pariaking OF the
general infection. seemed almost TO become snug
sea going, ship shape concern, wanting only good
sea room in the event OF an unexpected launch TO
work its way securely to any desert island In the
world
Many minor incidents in the household life OF
the Ships Instrument Maker. who was proud OF his
little mldshipman assisted and bore out this fancy
His acquaintance lying chiefly among ship chand
crs and so forth, he had always plenty OF the veri
table ships biscuit on bis table. 1t was familiar
with dried meats and tongues, possessing an extra
ordinary flavor of rope yarn Pickles were pro
duced uponit IN great wholesale jars. with Deal
or in all kinds Of Ships Provisions on the label +,
spirits were set forth in bottles With throats
L al, ,b,l-
their various mysteries, hung in frames upon the
walls the Tartar FriCatc under weigh, was on the
plates; outandish shells, sea.wecds and MOSES.
decorated the chimney piece the little walnscoted
back parlor was lighted by skylisht, like cabin
Here he lived too in shipper-like state, all alone
with his nephew Walter: boy OF fourteen, who
looked quite enough like mdshipman. 10 carry
out the prevailing idea. But there 1t ended, Tor
Solomon ellis himself lmore generally called old
SOL was tar from having maritime appearance
To say nothing OF his Welsh wig which was rs
plain md stubborn Welsh wig ever was worn,
and IN which he looked like anything but Rover
he was a slow quiet spoken. thoughtful old fellow
with eyes as red as II they had been small suns
looking at YOU through fog; and newly awaken
ed manner, such as he might have acquired by hav-
ING stared for three or four days successIyely
through every optical instrument IN his shop, aud
suddenly come back 10 the world again, 10 iind 1t
green. The only change ever known III bis outward
man, was TpLl q COulpltle SUI Oh COAtctu!tT tuL
very square. and ornamented with glarng buttons
the same suit OF cotiee-coor minus the lnexPres
sihles, which were then OF n pale nankeen he
II very precise shrt-iri, and carried pair OF
irst-rate spectacles on his forehead and a tremen
dous chronometer i'll his fob, rather than doubt
which precious possession he would have believed
in conspiracy against the part OF all the clocks
and watches In the city, and even OF the very Sun
itself Such as he was, such ne had been IL the
shop and parlor behind the little uiidshpman, for
years upon years going REGULAR aloit 10 bed ev-
cry night in a bowling garnet remote from the lodc
ers. where, when gentlemen o. England who lived
below at had little no idea OF the state Of
the weather. il often blew great guns
Ii is hslfpast 1--WE o'clock, and an autumn alter
noon when the reader and Solomon ellis become
acquainted. Solomon ellis is in the act OF seeing
what time il IS by the unimpeRchabe chrunometer.
The usual daily clearance has been making in the
city for an hour more and the human tide is
still rolling westward. The streets have thin
ned as Mr.. Gills says. very much 1t threat
ems TO be wet tonight. All the weather glasses IN
the shop are in low spirits, and the rain already
shines upon the cooked hat OF the wooden mIdshiP
man.
=. W here w alter WONDER said Solomon Oils
after he had carefully put up the the chronometer
again. Here's dinner been ready hall an hour
and no Walter "
Turning round upon his stool behind the counter,
Mr. ellis looked ont among the instruments IL the
road. No He not among the bobbng UNI
breuas. AID he certainly was not the newspaper
bow IN the oiskin cap who was slowly working his
way along the piece OF brass outside. writing his
name over Mr. GiIlss name with his torefnEer.
III didn't know he was too fond Of me 10
MAKE run of 1t, and 20 and enter himself aboard
ship against my wishes l should begin te be hdg-
ity said Mr. ellis. tapping two or three weather
glasses with his klUckles. ' really should Al
in the Downs. Ell Lots OF moisture Well ITS
wanted
Il believe, said Mr. Mr. Oils, blowing the dust
OF the glass top OF compass case - that you dom
point more direct and due TO the back pa-!or than
the boys inclination does after al. And The parlor
couldn't bear straishter either. Due North. Not
the twentieth pArl Of point either way
Ealloa, uncle Sol
Halloa. NY hoy y cried the Instrument Maker,
turning b-iskly round What yon are here.
are YOU :.
4 cheerful looking merry boy, fresh with running
home il the rain airiaced brisht-eyed, and curly
haired.
Well. uncle. how have you got on without ne
all dsv? Is dinner ready I'm so hungry
AS TO getting on SAID Solomon good