The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-07-24
Our @lio.
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY.

even seems to be probability that In time
the weather will also strike its flag to
science, and that means will be found of
disentangling the conflicting influences
which send m aneroid up and down. But
in the art Of fortelling the probable current
Of public enthusiasm there Is no sign of
progress The keenest observer Of human
nature can no more guess whether the ca
reer of any particular suitor, warrior, ex-
plorer or criminal will simply appear in
the newspapers aud excite no more atten.
tion, or will be generally taken up as a
matter of national importance, than the
merest tyro can. 1t was more than mil
lion to one that Robert Jeffrys wrongs
would remain unnotieed, or raise but n
feeble and passing interest. He became a
popular idol however, representative
victim of the press-gang system and the
tyrannical customs which naturally grew
out Of it, aud so very curious story has
been handed down to us.
In 1907 privateer named the Lord
Nelson was fitted at Polpero, in Cornwall,
place famous for its hardy race of snug
glers, the entire population being brought
up to look upon coast -guardsmen as natural
enemies, who might be killed with as good
o conscience as though they were French
men. The profits of privateering were
often greater even than those of SNUG
Cling, and the Lord Nelson had no diff
Guilty in gathering together a 6rst-rate
crew. Amongst them was man who had
been brought up as blacksmith, but had
found both excitement and profit in an
occasional sea-trip and, indeed, was as
good at the tiller as at the. forge, perhaps
triae better. The name of this amphib.
ious Cornishman was Robert jeffrey, and
his career as privateersman was short
one; for the Lord Nelson, at the very
commencement Of her cruise, was forced
10 put into Falmouth, where she was
boarded by press-gang. II was a per-
fectly illegal proceeding; the press-gang
had no more right to take man out Of
The Lord Nelson than you or | have to
break into q house and take the plate.
basket. But, Mt the commencement Of
This century private rights were very little
respected where the public service was
concerned, unless the person whom it was
proposed to injuro had plenty of money or
political influence. Robert jeffrey had
peither, and he was carried on board H.
M. s. Recruit, and converted into man
pfwar's-man quite against his will, and in
Defiance Of his clear and undoubted pro-
tection.
The commander of the Recruit was
5oung officer at that time well known in
the navy as reckless, self-willed, passion
hte man, the foibles of whose nature we're
forced and exasperated by despotic pow
prs and drinking habits. As If his nor
nal thirst were not enough, he was now
pent to cruise in the Caribbean Sea, where
lhe heat Of the sun whetted it to such an
extent that he was seldom or ever sober,
the mildest potation that he used to
auench II being spruce-beer, Of which he
~ cask always on tap in his private
kbin.
Before he had been on board many
'ays, JeArey's proficiency as smith was
iscoyered, and he was made armorer's
pate So that there was fair chance Of
bis making his enforced trip pretty com
ortably, and returning after few months
p his native place with a pockctful Of
prize-money, after all; but an unfortunate
roup Of circumstances got in the way.
The captain was not the only thirsty man
p the ship; the armorer's mate, for exam.
PIE, occasionally had drought upon him,
Ehich was considerably aggravated by the
Extremely hot weather and the small al
Dwance Of water served out daily, for the
hip was running short Of that treasure
rhich we never prize while wo have it.
During this state Of affairs, Jeffrey was
sent to execute some job in the captains
eabin, and being left alone with the barrel
4 spruce beer, he began to ogleit There
Fas drinking-cup, which had been used,
sing very handy; the captain was on deck;
% one could see him; he was very thirsty
ie snatched up the cup, and desisted from
is work a moment to draw off half pint
md toss it down. Very good it was, aud
Fery refreshing; If stolen waters are sweet,
that must purloined sprr .beer be2
PRESENTLY another drink was taken, with
qual success. A. third, however, was
poiled by the thick and wathful voice Of
DE captain, who had come below unheard,
nnoticed, in time to witness this outrag-
ous act Of daring gpresumplion. Itwould
urn hole in the paper to write down
Eaptain Lakes remarks upon the occasion.
evenly years ago all gentlemen swore
tile; naval officers swore very much, In
reasing in vehemcnce as they rose in rank
pen IN liquor swore, as at the present day,
kardest Of all. You may imagine, then,
hat the language Of a drunken sea-eaP-
Ain must have been when he saw his be-
Dved spruce-beer flowing down the throat
common arnorer's mate Tbs .aida-
Gus wretch was clipped in irons present