cocked hat being substituted for the undress cap. Altogether the ceremony was a farce, -a sacred ordinance shamefully desecrated, of that there could be no shadow of a doubt. All passed off, and the happy couple (what a mockery) returned to the breakfast that we must pass over, and then started for London, as the bride insisted on an immediate introduction to "her newly-obtained haristocratic relations in that City."

Late at night they arrived in Exeter, and there the curtain fell with a vengeance. The night passed over cloudily enough, and next morning, after swallowing about three parts of a bottle of brandy on an empty stomach, Schneider applied to his wife for money. He wanted to enjoy himself, and see the sights. He may or may not have applied in a proper manner, at all events he met with a flat refusal. Drunk as he was, one word led on to another, until at length, incensed beyond endurance, he took hold of the neck of the bottle, and with all his strength struck his wife with it. effect upon her temple; she fell smothered in her blood, and was raised only to be placed on a bed from which she never rose alive. Matters were made worse by circumstances. In her bosom a babe had leaped, and now it was brought forth in the time of her agony; we say

The blow took

it, for there was simply the clay, life was extinct at the time of birth.

Schneider passed from his marriage chamber to a place of confinement; thence to his trial, and condemnation to death for "wilful murder." The condemned cell received him,--a whiteheaded, broken-down man. Then came the end in this world," the scaffold!'

The poor father had obtained the sad tidings, and received his death-blow. Posting to Exeter, he arrived just in time for a final interview. The shock proved too much for him ;-father and son passed away at one time. The innocent went with the guilty. And all this took place through an inordinate affection for "the bottle." Generally it is the rock on which "the coward" is shipwrecked. He has not the, pluck naturally, to meet and ride buoyantly over the many trials and difficulties which are inevitably our portion in this world, and so he flies to stimulants for Dutch courage or oblivion. Many may take warning from Schneider; he lived like a hog, and died the death of a malefactor, bringing his father down with him with sorrow to the grave. "The bottle," then, is an enemy, which it is unwise to underrate; let us all be prepared to meet him as men.

CHAPTER XIII.

WE left the 'Brilliant' under weigh for Portsmouth. She arrived all right, delivered her despatches, and sailed a few hours after, with the squadron for the Downs. That squadron we have been in company with, and therefore need not repeat.

When the French fleet slipped through their fingers, and made Brest, the English Commander-in-Chief signalled the 'Brilliant' to close with the flag-ship, once more to receive despatches for Portsmouth. These despatches set forth that the Commander-in-Chief proposed remaining in the chops of the Channel, there to watch the movements of the enemy until he received counter-orders from head-quarters.

Between this fleet and Portsmouth, Boodle was doomed for a considerable time to act as messenger, until in fact the fleet was recalled, and then the Brilliant' was ordered into Portsmouth Harbour, to fit out for foreign service; on his return from which, our Commander was promised his long wished-for promotion; but unfortunately he became impressed with the

idea that he was hardly dealt by; he brooded over his troubles, and very foolishly made a thorny bed for himself to lay on.

He was bound, in the first place, to the Mediterranean, and then across the Western Ocean to the West Indies. To add to Boodle's troubles, the crew, on which he had prided himself so much, and which, from long companionship worked like clockwork together, was to be taken from him. The Honourable captain with whom Will Jarvis sailed was fitting out his frigate, and wanted a smart crew; his interest was quite sufficient to capsize poor old Boodle, so the crew were handed over, and odds and ends were considered quite good enough for the man-of-war brig. Be it observed, that "kissing goes by favour;" always did, ever will, to the end of the chapter.

Harold Overdon took passage in the 'Brilliant,' having received his appointment to a smart frigate; a lieutenancy was very shortly to be given him. Here we see what interest will do.

The 'Brilliant' sailed, and had a fine north-east wind, which wind soon took her out clear of the Channel, but unfortunately the poor brig was altogether different from what she used to be. Boodle, following the course pursued by his late first-lieutenant, urged on by what he considered

unfair treatment, "took to the bottle," consequently there was a vast amount of troubles brewing for him.

Carrol was now Senior Lieutenant. He had plenty of bulldog courage, but unfortu nately not much head-piece. He sadly lacked energy and a proper amount of discretion to cope with the Commander under present circumstances. Drink affected Boodle peculiarly; he became a sort of nigger-driver; bullied the men, and not unfrequently started them himself, and clewed up by taking an aversion to Carrol too strong to be controlled. The Master, who rejoiced in the name of Sextant (a very fit and proper one by-the-by), was not averse to grog; on the contrary, he and his Commander managed to get on remarkably well together, and would disappear beneath the table about the same time. Unfortunately, when sober, Mr. Sextant used his influence to increase the bitter feeling now existing between parties, instead of acting as a mediator. It may be too much in Boodle's favour to say, he was mad; but most assuredly he went to greater lengths than would any sane man. The boatswain and his mates had now the cat constantly in their hands. At first, it was only the greenhorns or landsmen who were subjected to merciless floggings, for errors or omissions the most