170
captains of 1831.
ten of those appear to have been taken close under the enemy’s batteries. The other services in which he bore a prominent part, have been recorded in pp. 722–727 of Vol. II. Part II. Let us now turn our attention to the internal discipline of the Pomone.
“Captain Barrie and his first lieutenant,” says our informant, “seems to have been actuated by a perfect unison of sentiment; – can it then be wondered at, that the former should commit to his able assistant the whole internal management of the frigate? The prominent feature in the character of each was humanity, and from it sprung up their wish to diffuse comfort and happiness to all under their controul. In addition thereto, they were both known to be brave and decisive in all their actions. The crew, well aware of their possessing these essential qualifications, paid implicit obedience to all orders, and even felt pleasure in obeying. Mutual confidence was fully established before they had long been together; doubt and suspicion were, of course, as speedily banished from every mind. Caprice and an intoxication of power were never indulged in by the officers; on no occasion had the men cause to lament that what they were taught to consider law on one day would be declared high treason and insubordination the next. It was a gratification of the highest kind, to see the pleasing result of this unanimity of disposition between Captain Barrie and Lieutenant Gabriel, the latter of whom treated the men as children entrusted to his cure, but having particular duties to perform, on the prompt execution of which both his and their lives depended, and, what is more to the truly brave, their honor. The crew regarded him as their adopted father; their true friend and watchful protector.” The gentleman, now deceased, who furnished us with the particulars of this officer’s naval career. “often saw the men approach him on the quarter-deck, with a modest manly confidence, whether to prefer a complaint or to solicit a favor. There was not that awe, strongly allied to fear, which the boldest spirit feels in the presence of a despot who has no other qualifications to demand it but pride and power. They knew that they would be heard with temper, and that if their complaint was well-founded, or their wish refused, they would be dismissed with urbanity, and probably retire fully satisfied with the lieutenant’s reasoning in either case. Were this system to be generally adopted in the royal navy, the service would no longer be regarded us the school of despotism; sailors would cheerfully enter; the primary cause of desertion, or, more plainly speaking, cruelty assuming the mark of discipline, would no longer exist; the odious method of manning our ships by impressment would soon become obsolete; and, instead of the proud spirit of British tars being broke down, by the tyranny of an upstart,” (as we ourselves have often witnessed), “they would be made happy in their respective stations by the enlivening cordials of humanity and kindness
