self-conceit that generally predominate even in the most savage
beast; and to this she constantly appealed. In his presence she
always exclaimed against the craft and dishonest dissimulation
of the world, and never failed of uttering particular invectives
against those arts of chicanery in which the lawyers are so
conversant, to the prejudice and ruin of their fellow-creatures;
observing that in a seafaring life, as far as she had opportunities
of judging or being informed, there was nothing but friendship,
sincerity, and a hearty contempt for everything that was mean or
selfish.

This kind of conversation, with the assistance of certain particular
civilities, insensibly made an impression on the mind of the
commodore, and the more effectual as his former prepossessions were
built upon very slender foundations. His antipathy to old maids,
which he had conceived upon hearsay, began gradually to diminish
when he found they were not quite such infernal animals as they had
been presented; and it was not long before he was heard to observe,
at the club, that Pickle's sister had not so much of the core of
b-- in her as he had imagined. This negative compliment, by the
medium of her brother, soon reached the ears of Mrs. Grizzle, who,
thus encouraged, redoubled in her arts and attention; so that, in
less than three months after, he in the same place distinguished
her with the epithet of a d--d sensible jade.

Hatchway, taking the alarm at this declaration, which he feared
foreboded something fatal to his interest, told his commander,
with a sneer, that she had sense enough to bring him to under her
stern; and he did not doubt but that such an old crazy vessel would
be the better for being taken in tow. "But howsomever," added this