Excerpt from The Men of the Merchant Service: Being the Polity of the Mercantile Marine for 'Longshore Readers

Meanwhile the white-winged fleets come and go in far greater numbers than landsmen have any idea of, and as nearly all authorities are agreed that, in spite Of the immense strides taken by steam navigation, the sailing-ship is still the only school wherein to train a thorough seafarer, she will certainly receive her full meed Of attention here.

Care has been taken to avoid as far as possible all technical treatment Of the subject. I have not as sumed the possession of too much nautical knowledge on the part Of my prospective readers, - not nearly as much, for instance, as would be permissible in a work of fiction. Having before me, too, the hope that sons as well as parents will be able to read and enjoy as well as thoroughly grasp the meaning of this book, I have aimed at making it entertaining, giving a plenti ful supply of anecdotes, as well to illustrate as to lighten what might easily become rather stodgy.

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