The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-26

arrive as it will. He sets no scene' He uses plot and counter-plot only a an excuse for the tale. Indeed hi stories are not like written stories, bu like spoken ones. This gives hi works the same charm that one find in the conversation of a brilliant mal who is thoroughly devoid of self-eon sciousness.
 Thus Captain Marryat deserves tn fame of being one of the most ma turar writers in English letters. | addition to this merit, which place his novels high in the list of popula favorites, there is, of course, the fac that no writer of sea fiction has ha such an experience on ich to draw He was one of the brilliant Britisl fighting captains of his time and hi own exploits equaled the most eXcitipi and romantic ones of any of his heroes Yet there never was an author wh' obtruded his own personality less. IF PETER SIMPLE had been able {,
 choose his own vocation he nigh \ have leaned most to that of tailoI as being comfortable and contempla- tive one. But his father was a clergy man of the Church of England and Il younger son of Lord Privilege, and 1T had been the custom of the family from time immemorial to sacrifice tn Q greatest fool of the family to the naval supremacy of the country. So at the age of IA Peter bade a fearful farewe to his family and set forth to join the frigate Diomede.
 Very homesick and sad did he fe e', despite his fine midshipman's uniform, when the coach set him down before the Blue Posts in Portsmouth which was the regular stopping place for midsh hipmen about to board their vee- sells.
 He was hailed with joy by the mid . dies who recognized a green one in hira and broke into loud commseration when they learned the name of the ship to. which he had been assigned.
 They recalled the poor middy who had just received five dozen lashes for wearing scarlet watch ribbon and the other who was worked day and night for six weeks till he died from fatigue So vividly did they paint the comma T der, Captain Savage, as a fend that Peter asked them if it would not De wise for him to return home agaf1; but they assured him that he would De followed and hanged surely as a de- serter. "No," said they your only hone is to beg him to accept few gallons of rum, for he is very fond of grog Then he may be good to you as long as the rum lasts"
 To comfort him they pressed grog on him till they had made him very tipsy. The next morning they aroused himfto tell him with great concern thSf he had gone to the theatre in tha condition and had forced his way into the presence of his captain. who was there with the admiraTs daughters, and that he had called his commander d tyrant and snapped his fingers at hirr.. It was with heart as heavy as his aching head that Peter set forth to report to Captain Savage in his hotel He was more alarmed than ever when he recog- nized in the dreaded commander a gentle man who had been his fellow-traveler on the coach, and to whom he had spoken most freely. To his surprise, Captain Say age only laughed when he entered. and
 
 Through chance remark Peter discov- cred that the commander had not been at theatre on the preceding night, and the conversation of the officer together with his kind manner and the considerable ad- vice that he gave the young midshipma te, soon led Peter to suspect that he had been misled.
 Therefore when he returned to the Blue Pcsts, and the middies there began to hugh uproariousy at the joke, Peter said You may call it joking, but l call it lying"
 "Slugs in a saw-pit" cried one furlously II demand satisfaction"
 T shall moi refuse you" said Peter Sim pie. although I had rather not fight a duel. My father cautioned me on the sub. 1ect desiring me, if possible. to avoid it as it was flying in the face of Providence but aware that I must uphold my char acter as an officer, he left me to my own discretion should I ever be so unfortunate as to be in such a dilemma"
 Peter went to his room and wrote a lone yNter to his mother, inclosing a lock oi his hair. He shed a few tears at the thought of her sorrow, and then borrowe ed a Bible and read it during the rest oi the day.
 The next morning he was very pale when he took his ground. When his sec ond advised him not to be frightened he answered that he was not frightened, but that he considered it awful moment He declined to apologize and twice stood fire firmly, discharging his own pistol iI the air, although the other aimed at him deliberately each time.
 Neither was hit and Peter felt that he had been saved as by a miracle. The middies complimented him on his courage and he set forth in his new uniform, not a little proud of being officer and g gentleman, though he was sadly oppressed by the thought that before he had beer left to his own guidance three days he had been tipsy and had fought duel Captain Savage soon heard of the affair and sent for him, and Peter confessed everything. "And is it possible, MT. Sim ple, that you are so great fool?' asked the captain.
 Peter replied that he certainly was considered the greatest fool of his family. q should think you were said the captain. T cannot trust you on shore any longer" and sent the lad aboard with a letter to MT. Falcon, tn C first lieutenant.
 SThe service is going to the devil,
 1f.. or, h of +, "a