Observations and Instructions for the Use of the Commissioned, the Junior, and Other Officers of the Royal Navy, on All the Material Points of Professional Duty; Including Also, Forms of General and Particular Orders for the Better Government and Disciplin - Together with a Variety of New and Useful Tables ... (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1804 Excerpt: ...A proper degree of spirit, mixed with encouragement, will always forward the duty better than oaths and coercion. It should, therefore, be the study of every executive officer to instil, with equanimity of temper, a spirit of emulation into his inferiors; which will, in the event of success, or superiority, over any other ship of war, spread satisfaction over the whole; and all will, in that case, be as studious to excel, as the officer to whose plans and arrangements the merit is attributed. When people know that their actions are noticed, and that every reward or punishment is apportioned accord n?'y they naturally become cautious of avoiding censure, and desirous to promote their own happiness and advantage. Examples, at first, should be severe; and, although a crime, at another time, might be forgiven; in a well disciplined ship, it ought at this time to be regarded with more than ordinary severity; for, by this, a great deal of punishment will be obviated, which otherwise might become necessary. When rules and regulations, which beget order and discipline, are known and established, it requires very little trouble to keep them in force; the want of energy and of vigilant attention are the only obstacles that would impede their operation. When no regular discipline is established, a good man frequently suffers from accident; whilst a man of bad character, by the same causey escapes it. This proceeds from caprice of disposition, or when crimes have passed so long unheeded, and the discipline is so much impaired, that every inadvertence is made a plea to restore it. But theact of a moment never should betray an officer to the commission of injustice. If a man commits an offence, he should be confined at least twelve hours, or until every spark of resentme...