victories of Nelson, Duncan, and others, I determined to enter the navy, and therefore only passed for a surgeon. But I requested the examiners to give me a certificate of the status I was qualified to hold in the navy, and they gave me a certificate that I was qualified to hold the office of first surgeon's mate in a first-rate ship of the line. On my return home I found my father rather opposed to my intentions, though he, nevertheless, readily provided the necessary outfit; but, when I was on the point of leaving, he used so many arguments against my views that I reluctantly yielded to his wishes, and for some months devoted myself to private study. By-and-bye the Peace of Amiens took place, and I then renounced for ever my intention of entering the navy.
After some time I was informed that I might be appointed as surgeon's mate of an Indiaman bound to China; and accepting it at once, I immediately proceeded to London, furnished with a few letters of introduction and a letter of credit. Relations of the chief officer of the ship were friends of my father. and that, perhaps, influenced him a good deal on this occasion. The surgeon had already made four voyages to India, and was much respected.
