New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-10
THE AUSTENS.
SAILOR Men of Nelson's Time.

Oo|oT men OF Nelson's Time.
JANE AusTENs SAILOR BROTHERS. Being
ne Aoyentures Of Sir Francis Austen G. c B.
Austen BY J. 81 Husback and Gdt5 G aue
DOCK svo. ID. SsA John Lane Company.
MT Huooack. the grandson of Sir Francis
austen and grandnephew OF Jane Austen the
ho'ehst' naturally takes a lively interest in
everything associated with the family Trivi-
aiiiies 70 him are not trivial: the prosaic is not
prosy. Unfortunately. most readers will not
see eye TO eye with him--few outside the Aus
tens and their connections VIII find In this elab-
crate work much Of permanent value.
Not that the two Austen brothers did no. have
experiences that were highly interesting. even
orsmatic'-they saw active service IN the British
navy from early In the last quarter of the eigh-
teenth century to the middle OF the nineteenth,
ana no energetic young officer failed, within
that period, TO learn the strange and thrilling
hazards OF war. But neither OF these sons of
the Reverend George Austen had apparently
much gift for writing-perhaps their sister Jane
naohopolized IT; at any rate the letters included
IN this volume are nearly dull their official
dispatches and the extracts from their ships
logs. We must 80 elsewhere. for example for
an account OF the tragedy of Cadiz. In 179s.
when Peter Anderson. belonging to the MARI
borough" as Francis Austen's log puts It, was
sentenced to suffer death for mutiny." He left
no further record OF the scene which ended or
ganized mutiny in Lord St. Vincent's feet Yet
the young lieutenant must have felt something
other than indifference that sunny May morn
ing when the leader IN the desperate attempt
was executed by his own sullen comrades.
tinesrs like himself, under the carronades Of all
the men-of-war's boats surrounding the Marl-
borough lying silent and black with closed ports.
-In~ @Aox - NS.
sailor Of that day led to mutiny. There are
evidences in Francis Austen's letters that he en-
deavored to improve matters. His most
cessful experiment, apparently, was IN coating
cheeses with whitewash IN order to keep them in
good condition in hot weather, that the men
might have more wholesome and nutritive
food"
One of the most picturesque episodes of
Francis Austens career occurred during the
British blockade Of Genoa He was then COM
mander OF the Peterel, and his crew took part in
the capture Of the Prima galley when just ready
to leave the mole. The affair of the Prima had
one cruel phase:
spite Of large force Of lighting men on board and
Of heavy IRE from the harbour forts The capture
hundred galley slaves. who rowed out so fast that
y bss aRes @ sS9ed o se
the prize out Of tF0 me on ar
their their release ' Ths sequel Of tbs incident was
With The ss other 'R IS no
wn ne sgea on forging af ayss we're 0 sbot as
traitors in the market place.
The necessarily minute details Of this volume
20 to show that Francis and Charles Austen
We're excellent officers and excellent men, care
full OF their duties. mundane and spiritual. and
fully deserving the promotions and honors they
duly received. One grievance which Francis re-
corded IN letter 10 his sweetheart was his en-
forced absence, IN charge Of a convoy. from Mel
sons feet during the engagement in which the
great admiral received his mortal wound. 81 do
not profess to like fighting for its own sake"
wrote the young 10 his Mary but II there
has been an action with the combined fleets
shall ever consider the day which sailed
from the squadron as the most inauspicious one
of my life" A few days after he adds the
same page the news Of the action which did in
deed take place he feared and with 1t a Ia
ment for Nelson: II never heard of his equal,
nor do I expect again TO see such man To
the soundest judgment he united prompt de-
c;sion and speedy execution Of his plans; and
he possessed III a superior degree the happy
talent of making every class of persons pleased
with their situation and eager to exert them
selves IN forwarding the public service"
In all the relations Of family life these two
Austens were most lovable souls. James deep
affection for her brothers is tenderly expressed
in the letters reprinted by Mr.. Hubback, and
further testimony to that sentiment is to be
found in the profuse quotations from Mansfield
Park"-a padding which might better have been
omitted The author has in truth brought into
service every scrap Of material however worn
by use which might supplement his own scanty
and not too entertaining collections. There is
slight account Of the family life during the
childhood Of the Austens which was set down
nv Sir Francis's daughter Catherine. and which
is illustrative OF the simple habits OF the
eighteenth century country parsonage. OF Cas-
sandra Austen, her granddaughter writes:
enarv may be inferred from the fact being on rec
nra that for two years she actually never had a
gown 10 @ioth habits and she having one of red
cloth found other dress unnecessary: nIaeIne
snS herself with such a costume for two years!
FVen when she did find II necessary 70 pioFiue
herself With some s oI andteS Useful purpose for
was cut up into first cloth SUIT Tor Ate fiahcis
As for that young gentleman and his brothers
and sisters, all of whom turned out uncommonly
velI-not to speak Of the one who was genius
their upbringing was of the sternest
rr,.-s 60 nothing IN which modern manners iiffer
winch more from those OF a century back than IN
The system pursued with regard 10 chndren Iney
OF visitors but OF their parents; they were trusted
10 hired attendants; they were aHo~ed great ueai
OF air and exercise were kept on plain food forced
20 give way 10 the comfort of others; accustomed
10 be overlooked; slightly regarded conslaeIed OF
.rssSS lore 70 cheat them into learning awaited
them no scientific toys no phllosopilc hnnuseieiils
enlarged their minds and weaEied ther allehtion'
tn. nortraits and sketches of sea fights repro
duced in this volume are more or less interest