THE XIV "On stormy waves careering, Our forthward course we hold." JOANNA BAILLIE. HE stirring refrain of Thomson's noble song exhorts us to be confident of the abiding freedom of Britons, because Britannia rules the Waves, and there can be no question the poet of "Indolence" was very much awake to the national instinct, when he thus associated the glory of freedom with the boundless, unfettered sea. "Britons never shall be slaves," in the sense of being as so much "goods and chattels" of their fellow-men, but there is slavery and slavery. "Slavery is that which cramps powers. The worst slavery is that which cramps the noblest powers," said Robertson of Brighton. Viewed from this standpoint, Britons have long been the willing victims of "the worst slavery," for assuredly the vice of Intemperance has cramped all that was brightest, bravest, and best in thousands of fair Albion's sons and daughters. For the abolition of this British slavery many true patriots are now contending, and among the various encouraging aspects of the struggle may be named the fact, that to-day the evil is being attacked from all quarters. Men are learning more than ever, the importance of influencing those amongst whom their ordinary duties have placed them. Sir William King-Hall is a worthy example of such useful service. Admiral Sir William King-Hall, K.C.B., is a son of the late Dr. Hall (who was a surgeon in the Royal Navy), and was born in London in 1816. When only thirteen years of age he joined the Rapid gun brig, under Commander Swinburne, as a volunteer of the second class, and served in the Mediterranean. Four years later, on the Rapid being ordered home, he joined the Barham as master's assistant. He was paid off on the 6th May, 1834, and was then appointed master's assistant to the Childers, under Commander the Hon. Henry Keppel. An incident which then occurred illustrates the independence of the young sailor's character. Whilst the Childers was fitting out, Mr. Hall discovered in the regulations then existing, a clause which enabled him to retire from the master line, and he thereupon wrote direct to their lordships of the Admiralty, desiring to avail himself of the privilege mentioned. His application was acknowledged by a reprimand, through the Commander-in-Chief, for presuming to write without his Captain's approval. This was an obstacle readily overcome, and Mr. Hall repeated his request in due routine order, and was authorised to fill a midshipman's vacancy until any captain should apply for him. Happily he had not to wait many months, for in November 1834, he joined the Talavera, as midshipman, under Captain Chetham, C.B., which ship left the Mediterranean, and was paid off in February 1835. He next joined the Viper, on the Lisbon station, and was then sent to the north coast of Spain, being one of the force under the command of Commodore Lord John Hay, in the operations against the Carlists. Mr. Hall saw much active service here, and took part in the passage of the River Uramea. Mr. Hall had not seen his father for seven and a half years, so when the Viper returned to England in 1837, and he had passed his examination for Lieutenant at Portsmouth, he also paid a visit to his home at Cranbrook. He remained there for one night, and caught the North Star under weigh at Spithead, getting through the bow port, the gun being out in consequence of the signal for sea having been fired. He next joined the Salamander as mate, under Commander S. C. Dacres, with whom he served until June 1839, when he became attached to the Benbow, under Captain Houston Stewart. Mr. Hall was present at the memorable siege of Acre, and commanded the launch on many important occasions during the Syrian War,-such as the attack on Tortosa, when five men were killed, and six wounded in the boat. For these services he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant on July 28th, 1841, and after being a short time supernumerary in the Vanguard, joined the Indus. His next appointment was to the brig Waterwitch as first lieutenant, and after the conclusion of the brig experimental squadron, he joined the flag-ship Vindictive on the North American Station in June 1845. On the 28th December, 1847, he was appointed acting Commander of the ship Growler. |