THE TYPICAL BRITISH TAR.

Dunstan Times, Issue 771, 26 January 1877, Page 3

THE TYPICAL BRITISH TAR.

o T. F. Cooke had dined at Harring-ton-house one evening, relates Lord William Lennox in Lis Recollections, and on leaving his host and hostess the latter formerly Miss Foote--they invited him again for that clay fortnight. Cooke arrived, and Lord and Ha dr Harrington found that the day

lor which he had been naked was (he day previously appointed lor a political banquet t) the Karl of Aberdeen. Put ofcjnrso Cooke j ined the distinguished party; and after the ladies had left the room the acto" founl himself next tho Premier, who commenced n conversation with Ills neighbor. Cooke wealing the naval medal, tho talk turned upon tho navy, T. P.— or Tippy, as he was called by his broth ten of the sock and buskin—became Very energetic on the subject, and gave his lordship so vivid a description of tho engagements ho had taken part in, of the ships he had served in, and of t heir captains, that Lord Aberdeen became deeply interested in the subject, and curious to know with whom he was speaking. After sundry diplomatic attempts to find this out, a casual remark proved more successful. “ There is a wonderful change in the tar of tho present day from that of Fielding’s and Dibden's times,” said Lord Aberdeen. “ 1 believe yon,” answered Cooke, and was about to rival the rotundity of Paul Bedford’s sentence, “ I bele-e ve you, my bo-ay," when tho sedate look of Ins companion ducked him. “ The use, or rather abuse, of tobacco :nl grog has great'y diminished,” said Lord Aberdeen, “ A rid the dreadful oaths,” chimed ia the actor, “• no longer disgrace the ship from the quarter-deck down to tho cockpit.” “ The punishment of tho lash is less frequant,” remarked mv lord. “ And midshipmen are not subjected to the degradation of flogging in tho captain’s cabin,” interrupted Cooke, “ or mast-headed for the most trivial offences.” “The system is greatly improved,” said the Premier, evidently deliberating on the sidject, when he was startled from his momentary reverie by T. P. Cooke, who had been excited by the discussion, exclaiming. in a louder voice than before, “ But, if your lordship would like to know what a real tar was, and what a real tar ought to be, come across tho water some night and” —• as Lord Aberdeen looked up with surprise and wondered what was coming—“see me as William in ‘ Black-eycd Susan.’ ”