Note 18 — Chapter III

“’Twas folly trying To read i’ th’ Berth—for what with shying Hats about—and playing flutes, Backgammon—Boxing—Cleaning Boots, And other such polite pursuits. Skylarking—Eating—Singing—Swigging, And Arguments about the Rigging, ‘This Mast how taut!’ ‘That sail how square’ All Study had been fruitless there.” Thus Jack Mitford from his gravel pit in Battersea.