TO THE TENTH EDITION. NOTWITHSTANDING the great number of naval novels which have followed in the wake of the Post-Captain, there is not one that has surpassed it in genuine sea-humour; but amidst a fleet of imitators, it still wears a distinguishing pennant. Its characters are hardy tars of the true blue water breed. No marvel that the ladies fall in love with them at first sight. With an unfailing power of diffusing joy around them, they are more captivating in the laughter-loving eyes of the fair sex than Pelham or Tremaine. In the present edition the work has undergone a thorough overhaul. The lower cordage has been set up, much of the running rigging new rove, and a fresh suit of sails bent to catch the gale of popular favour in going out of port. NEPTUNE'S INJUNCTION. Whereas a spurious Post Captain has made its appearance in the Metropolis, torturing the text, and spoiling the spirit of the original work: Now I do by this my proclamation prohibit all my blue-jackets from loading their sea-chests with such lubberly lumber; and if any captain shall have the temerity to admit the book into the cabin of his hooker, I will harass him regularly once a week with a stark calm, more appalling to the heart of a thorough-bred seaman than a heavy gale of wind. THE POST-CAPTAIN, ETC. CHAPTER I. She walks the waters like a thing of life, And seems to dare the elements to strife: CORSAIR. THE sun had just streaked the eastern horizon with his rays, when the commander of a frigate, which was cruising in the British Channel, awoke, and giving a monstrous yawn, called to the sentry at the cabin-door to pass the word for the steward. The sentry was walking to and fro under the halfdeck, armed with a huge cutlass, which for more than a year had not slept in a scabbard; and, on hearing the order, he applied his hands to his mouth, vociferating with B |