midshipmen, the officers known as passed-midshipmen are not at
all referred to. In the American Navy, these officers form a
class of young men, who, having seen sufficient service at sea as
midshipmen to pass an examination before a Board of Commodores,
are promoted to the rank of passed-midshipmen, introductory to
that of lieutenant. They are supposed to be qualified to do duty
as lieutenants, and in some cases temporarily serve as such. The
difference between a passed-midshipman and a midshipman may be
also inferred from their respective rates of pay. The former,
upon sea-service, receives $750 a year; the latter, $400. There
were no passed-midshipmen in the Neversink.



CHAPTER LIII.

SEAFARING PERSONS PECULIARLY SUBJECT TO BEING UNDER THE WEATHER.
--THE EFFECTS OF THIS UPON A MAN-OF-WAR CAPTAIN.


It has been said that some midshipmen, in certain cases, are
guilty of spiteful practices against the man-of-war's-man. But as
these midshipmen are presumed to have received the liberal and
lofty breeding of gentlemen, it would seem all but incredible
that any of their corps could descend to the paltriness of
cherishing personal malice against so conventionally degraded a
being as a sailor. So, indeed, it would seem. But when all the
circumstances are considered, it will not appear extraordinary
that some of them should thus cast discredit upon the warrants
they wear. Title, and rank, and wealth, and education cannot