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Chapter One.
In which, like most people who tell their own stories, I begin with the histories of other people.
Chapter Two.
My father does what most sailors do—He makes a foolish marriage, one of the consequences of which is brought to light at the end of the chapter.
Chapter Three.
In which my mother proves herself a tender wife, and at the same time shows her patriotism and devotion to her country.
Chapter Four.
In which I tell the reader all I can recollect about myself, and moreover prove the truth of the old adage “that it is a wise child who knows its own father.”
Chapter Five.
My father and mother meet after an absence of six years. She discovers that he is no longer a Coxswain but a Boatswain’s Mate.
Chapter Six.
A bright pleasant evening after a squall, in which the art of angling is introduced in a way which would have added to the knowledge of Izaac Walton himself.
Chapter Seven.
In which my mother gives my father a scriptural lesson. My father’s grief at parting with an old friend—He expostulates with my mother and quits the house.
Chapter Eight.
In which the doctor pays a visit and receives no fee; and I am obliged to work very hard to procure myself a livelihood.
Chapter Nine.
In which I take a cruise contrary to the received rules of navigation—On my return from a cold expedition, I meet with a cold reception.
Chapter Ten.
In which I narrate what I consider the most fortunate incident in my life; and Ben the Whaler confides to me a very strange history.
Chapter Eleven.
In which the doctor lets out some very novel modes of medical treatment, which are attended with the greatest success.
Chapter Twelve.
I prefer a suit to Old Nanny, and procure a new suit of clothes—The advantage of being well dressed—You may walk out with the ladies.
Chapter Thirteen.
I am so unfashionable as to pay my debts—Ben’s opinion as to my father’s return—the chances exemplified in the list of killed and wounded—the L’Orient blowing up, and the Royal George going down.
The Loss of the Royal George.
Chapter Fourteen.
My father makes his appearance, having left his leg, but not his tail, behind him—My father is pensioned off by my mother as well as by his country.
Chapter Fifteen.
In which is proved the truth of the proverb “When your own house is made of glass, you never should be the first to throw stones.”
Chapter Sixteen.
Showing how Old Nanny fell sick and got well again.
Chapter Seventeen.
A morning concert, in which the opposition is as great as black to white.
Chapter Eighteen.
I get into very doubtful company—I am tempted, and, like a true son of Adam, I fall.
Chapter Nineteen.
I am tempted again—My pride is roused, and my course of life is changed in consequence.
Chapter Twenty.
Much ado about nothing; or, a specimen of modern patronage.
Chapter Twenty One.
A most important present is made to me; and, as it will eventually appear, the generosity of the giver is rewarded.
Chapter Twenty Two.
In which a story is begun and not finished, which I think the reader will regret as much as, at the time, I did.
Chapter Twenty Three.
“Recollect,” says the fellow, “you have thrown overboard a black tom cat!”
Chapter Twenty Four.
Bramble’s method of education proves very effective—he also points out a position in which you may prefer your enemies to your friends.
Chapter Twenty Five.
In which Bramble points out to me that singing is part of the profession of a pilot.
Chapter Twenty Six.
In which I go afloat, and obtain some knowledge of the English Channel.
Chapter Twenty Seven.
Showing the importance on board ship of a rope’s end well applied.
Chapter Twenty Eight.
Some little difference in the proceeds of this chapter, and my former “copper for Poor Jack, your Honour.”
Chapter Twenty Nine.
In which I learn the history of Old Nanny.
Chapter Thirty.
Strong symptoms of mutiny, which is fortunately quelled by granting a supply.
Chapter Thirty One.
In which my father proves he can give good advice as well as Peter Anderson.
Chapter Thirty Two.
In which there is a hop, skip, and a jump.
Chapter Thirty Three.
In which the sine qua non of all novels is, for the first time, introduced.
Chapter Thirty Four.
More cry than wool—Bramble would dig a pit for another and tumbles in along with him.
Chapter Thirty Five.
We have great hopes of not seeing the inside of a French prison, but we are disappointed.
Chapter Thirty Six.
With those powerful agents, fire and water, we contrive to escape from a French prison.
Chapter Thirty Seven.
Another escape, more fortunate than the one recorded in the preceding chapter.
Chapter Thirty Eight.
Which is all about love—Bramble confides to me all his acquaintance with the tender passion.
Chapter Thirty Nine.
In which I receive a very severe blow from a party or parties unknown.
Chapter Forty.
Showing the great advantages to be derived from patronage.
Chapter Forty One.
In which it is proved that sailors have very correct ideas as to metempsychosis.
Chapter Forty Two.
A heavy gale, a wreck and a rescue.
Chapter Forty Three.
A scene in the hospital, and a strange discovery.
Chapter Forty Four.
Spicer discloses strange matters.
Chapter Forty Five.
Spicer’s death.
Chapter Forty Six.
In which Mrs St. Felix refuses a splendid offer which I am duly empowered to make to her.
Chapter Forty Seven.
In which a new character appears upon the stage, and I play the part of a pilot on shore.
Chapter Forty Eight.
My sister Virginia is at last placed in a situation which is satisfactory to my mother as well as to herself.
Chapter Forty Nine.
My father, much to his surprise, has a bit of land to put his foot upon, and say, “This is my own.”
Chapter Fifty.
An adventure which at first promised to be the most unfortunate, and eventually proved the most fortunate in my life.
Chapter Fifty One.
Being the last chapter, the reader may pretty well guess the contents of it.
Chapter Fifty Two.
Finale.
About the author
Captain Frederick Marryat (10 July 1792 – 9 August 1848) was a British Royal Navy officer, novelist, and an acquaintance of Charles Dickens, noted today as an early pioneer of the sea story. He is now known particularly for the semi-autobiographical novel Mr Midshipman Easy and his children's novel The Children of the New Forest, and for a widely used system of maritime flag signalling, known as Marryat's Code.
Marryat was born in London, the son of Joseph Marryat, a "merchant prince" and member of Parliament, and his American wife Charlotte, née von Geyer. After trying to run away to sea several times, Marryat was permitted to enter the Royal Navy in 1806 as a midshipman on board HMS Imperieuse, a frigate commanded by Lord Cochrane (who would later serve as inspiration for both Marryat and other authors).
Marryat's time aboard the Imperieuse included action off the Gironde, the rescue of a fellow midshipman who had fallen overboard, captures of many ships off the Mediterranean coast of Spain, and the capture of the castle of Montgat. When the Imperieuse shifted to operations in the Scheldt, in 1809, Marryat contracted malaria, and returned to England on the 74-gun HMS Victorious.
From 1832 to 1835 Marryat edited The Metropolitan Magazine. He kept producing novels, his biggest success coming with Mr Midshipman Easy in 1836. He lived in Brussels for a year, travelled in Canada and the United States, then moved to London in 1839, where he was in the literary circle of Charles Dickens and others. He was in North America in 1837 when the Rebellion of that year in Lower Canada broke out, and served with the British forces in suppressing it.
Marryat was named a Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of his invention and other achievements. In 1843 he moved to a small farm at Manor Cottage in Norfolk, where he died in 1848. His daughter Florence Marryat later became well known as a writer and actress. His son Francis Samuel Marryat completed his late novel The Little Savage.
Marryat's novels are characteristic of their time, with concerns of family connections and social status often overshadowing the naval action, but they are interesting as fictional renditions of the author's 25 years' of experience at sea. Much admired by men like Mark Twain, Joseph Conrad and Ernest Hemingway, they were among the first sea novels, serving as models for later works by C. S. Forester and Patrick O'Brian also set in the time of Nelson and telling of young men rising through the ranks through successes as naval officers. Along with his novels, Marryat was also known for his short writings on nautical subjects. These short stories, plays, pieces of travel journalism and essays appeared in The Metropolitan Magazine too, and were later published in book form as Olla Podrida. Marryat's 1839 Gothic novel The Phantom Ship contained The White Wolf of the Hartz Mountains, which includes the first female werewolf in a short story.
In the same year, 1839, Marryat published his Diary in America, a travelogue that reflects his criticisms of American culture and society. The book and the author were both subject to acts of violence, including the burning of the book and of Marryat's effigy in public.
