The Kings Own | Page 4

history, the revolution of opinion, the public
tumults, the warfare for religious ascendency--it will be found that,
without this seal, these were only lulled for the moment, and invariably
recommenced until blood had made its appearance as witness to "the
act and deed."
CHAPTER TWO.
This is a long description, but applies To scarce five minutes past
before the eyes But yet what minutes! Moments like to these Rend
men's lives into immortalities. BYRON.
The mutiny at Spithead was soon followed up by that at the Nore; and
the ringleader, Parker, like a meteor darting through the firmament,
sprung from nothing, corruscated, dazzled, and disappeared. The Texel
fleet joined, except a few ships, which the courage and conduct of the
gallant old Admiral Duncan preserved from the contagion. Let me here
digress a little, to introduce to my readers the speech made by this
officer to his ship's company on the first symptoms of disaffection. It is
supposed that sailors are not eloquent. I assert that, with the exception
of the North American Indians, who have to perfection the art of saying
much in few words, there are few people more eloquent than sailors.
The general object looked for, in this world, is to obtain the greatest
possible effect with the smallest power; if so, the more simple the
language, the more matter is condensed, the nearer we approach to
perfection. Flourishes and flowers of rhetoric may be compared to extra
wheels applied to a carriage, increasing the rattling and complexity of
the machine, without adding to either the strength of its fabric or the
rapidity of its course.
It was on the 6th of June that the fleet at the Nore was joined by the
Agamemnon, Leopard, Ardent, and other ships which had separated
from Admiral Duncan's fleet. When the Admiral found himself
deserted by part of his own fleet, he called his own ship's crew together,
and addressed them in the following speech:--
"My lads! I once more call you together with a sorrowful heart, owing

to what I have lately seen, the disaffection of the fleets: I call it
disaffection, for the crews have no grievances. To be deserted by my
fleet, in the face of the enemy, is a disgrace which, I believe, never
before happened to a British admiral; nor could I have supposed it
possible. My greatest comfort under God is, that I have been supported
by the officers, seamen, and marines of this ship, for which, with a
heart overflowing with gratitude, I request you to accept my sincere
thanks. I flatter myself much good may result from your example, by
bringing those deluded people to a sense of the duty which they owe,
not only to their king and country, but to themselves.
"The British navy has ever been the support of that liberty which has
been handed down to us by our ancestors, and which I trust we shall
maintain to the latest posterity--and that can only be done by unanimity
and obedience. This ship's company, and others, who have
distinguished themselves by loyalty and good order, deserve to be, and
doubtless will be, the favourites of a grateful nation. They will also
have, from their inward feelings, a comfort which will be lasting, and
not like the floating and false confidence of those who have swerved
from their duty.
"It has often been my pride with you to look into the Texel, and see a
foe which dreaded coming out to meet us. My pride is now humbled
indeed! our cup has overflowed, and made us wanton--the All-wise
Providence has given us this check as a warning, and I hope we shall
improve by it. On Him, then, let us trust, where our only security is to
be found. I find there are many good men among us: for my own part, I
have had full confidence of all in this ship; and once more I beg to
express my approbation of your conduct.
"May God, who has thus far conducted you, continue to do so; and may
the British navy, the glory and support of our country, be restored to its
wonted splendour, and be not only the bulwark of Britain, but the terror
of the world.
"But this can only be effected by a strict adherence to our duty and
obedience; and let us pray that the Almighty God may keep us in the
right way of thinking.

"God bless you all."
At an address so unassuming, and so calculated, from its simplicity and
truth, to touch the human heart, the whole ship's crew were melted into
tears, and declared their resolution to adhere to their admiral in life or
death. Had all the ships in the fleet been commanded by such men as
Admiral Duncan, the mutiny at Spithead