Roundabout Papers - Penn State University

Roundabout Papersof their noble profession! Can our fountain of Honor notbe brought to such men? It plays upon captains and colonelsin seemly profusion. It pours forth not illiberal rewardsupon doctors and judges. It sprinkles mayors andaldermen. It bedews a painter now and again. It has spiriteda baronetcy upon two, and bestowed a coronet uponone noble man of letters. Diplomatists take their Bath init as of right; and it flings out a profusion of glitteringstars upon the nobility of the three kingdoms. CannotBritannia find a ribbon for her sailors? The Navy, royal ormercantile, is a Service. The command of a ship, or theconduct of her, implies danger, honor, science, skill, subordination,good faith. It may be a victory, such as thatof the “Sarah Sands;” it may be discovery, such as that ofthe “Fox;” it may be heroic disaster, such as that of the“Birkenhead;” and in such events merchant seamen, aswell as royal seamen, take their share.Why is there not, then, an Order of Britannia? Oneday a young officer of the “Euryalus”* may win it; and,having just read the memoirs of Lord Dundonald, I knowwho ought to have the first Grand Cross.* Prince Alfred was serving on board the frigate “Euryalus” whenthis was written.32