marriage, an infinite fund of gratification for his own cynical
disposition. Thus, therefore, converted and properly cautioned,
he for the future suppressed all the virulence of his wit against
the matrimonial state; and as he knew not how to open his mouth in
the positive praise of any person whatever, took all opportunities
of excepting Mrs. Grizzle, by name, from the censures he liberally
bestowed upon the rest of her sex. "She is not a drunkard, like
Nan Castick, of Deptford," he would say; "not a nincompoop, like
Peg Simper, of Woolwich; not a brimstone, like Kate Koddle, of
Chatham; nor a shrew, like Nell Griffin, on the Point, Portsmouth"
(ladies to whom, at different times, they had both paid their
addresses); "but a tight, good-humoured, sensible wench, who knows
very well how to box her compass; well-trimmed aloft, and well-sheathed
alow, with a good cargo under her hatches." The commodore at first
imagined this commendation was ironical; but, hearing it repeated
again and again, was filled with astonishment at this surprising
change in the lieutenant's behaviour; and, after a long fit of
musing, concluded that Hatchway himself harboured a matrimonial
design on the person of Mrs. Grizzle.

Pleased with this conjecture, he rallied jack in his turn, and
one night toasted her health as a compliment to his passion--a
circumstance which the lady learned next day by the usual canal
of her intelligence; and interpreting as the result of his own
tenderness for her, she congratulated herself on the victory she
had obtained; and thinking it unnecessary to continue the reserve
she had hitherto industriously affected, resolved from that day
to sweeten her behaviour towards him with such a dash of affection
as could not fail to persuade him that he had inspired her with
a reciprocal flame. In consequence of this determination, he was