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add； that two hours will bring me over at any time； to save you the
trouble of replying。”
Sir Walter only nodded。 But soon afterwards； rising and pacing
the room； he observed sarcastically；
“There are few among the gentlemen of the navy； I imagine；
who would not be surprised to find themselves in a house of this
description。”
“They would look around them； no doubt； and bless their good
fortune；” said Mrs。 Clay； for Mrs。 Clay was present； her father had
driven her over； nothing being of so much use to Mrs。 Clay’s
health as a drive to Kellynch： “but I quite agree with my father in
thinking a sailor might be a very desirable tenant。 I have known a
good deal of the profession； and besides their liberality； they are so
neat and careful in all their ways！ These valuable pictures of
yours； Sir Walter； if you chose to leave them； would be perfectly
safe。 Everything in and about the house would be taken such
excellent care of！ The gardens and shrubberies would be kept in
almost as high order as they are now。 You need not be afraid； Miss
Elliot； of your own sweet flower gardens being neglected。”
“As to all that；” rejoined Sir Walter coolly； “supposing I were
induced to let my house； I have by no means made up my mind as
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 23
to the privileges to be annexed to it。 I am not particularly disposed
to favour a tenant。 The park would be open to him of course； and
few navy officers； or men of any other description； can have had
such a range； but what restrictions I might impose on the use of
the pleasure…grounds； is another thing。 I am not fond of the idea of
my shrubberies being always approachable； and I should
recommend Miss Elliot to be on her guard with respect to her
flower garden。 I am very little disposed to grant a tenant of
Kellynch Hall any extraordinary favour； I assure you； be he sailor
or soldier。”
After a short pause； Mr。 Shepherd presumed to say；
“In all these cases； there are established usages which make
everything plain and easy between landlord and tenant。 Your
interest； Sir Walter； is in pretty safe hands。 Depend upon me for
taking care that no tenant has more than his just rights。 I venture
to hint； that Sir Walter Elliot cannot be half so jealous for his own；
as John Shepherd will be for him。”
Here Anne spoke—
“The navy； I think； who have done so much for us； have at least
an equal claim with any other set of men； for all the comforts and
all the privileges which any home can give。 Sailors work hard
enough for their comforts； we must all allow。”
“Very true； very true。 What Miss Anne says； is very true；” was
Mr。 Shepherd’s rejoinder； and “Oh！ certainly；” was his daughter’s；
but Sir Walter’s remark was； soon afterwards—
“The profession has its utility； but I should be sorry to see any
friend of mine belonging to it。”
“Indeed！” was the reply； and with a look of surprise。
“Yes； it is in two points offensive to me； I have two strong
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 24
grounds of objection to it。 First； as being the means of bringing
persons of obscure birth into undue distinction； and raising men
to honours which their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt of；
and secondly； as it cuts up a man’s youth and vigour most
horribly； a sailor grows old sooner than any other man。 I have
observed it all my life。 A man is in greater danger in the navy of
being insulted by the rise of one whose father； his father might
have disdained to speak to； and of becoming prematurely an
object of disgust himself； than in any other line。 One day last
spring； in town； I was in company with two men； striking instances
of what I am talking of； Lord St Ives； whose father we all know to
have been a country curate； without bread to eat； I was to give
place to Lord St Ives； and a certain Admiral Baldwin； the most
deplorable…looking personage you can imagine； his face the colour
of mahogany； rough and rugged to the last degree； all lines and
wrinkles； nine grey hairs of a side； and nothing but a dab of
powder at top。—‘In the name of heaven； who is that old fellow？’
said I； to a friend of mine who was standing near； （Sir Basil
Morley）。 ‘Old fellow！’ cried Sir Basil； ‘it is Admiral Baldwin。 What
do you take his age to be？’ ‘Sixty；’ said I； ‘or perhaps sixty…two。’
‘Forty；’ replied Sir Basil； ‘forty； and no more。’ Picture to
yourselves my amazement； I shall not easily forget Admiral
Baldwin。 I never saw quite so wretched an example of what a sea…
faring life can do； but to a degree； I know it is the same with them
all： they are all knocked about； and exposed to every climate； and
every weather； till they are not fit to be seen。 It is a pity they are
not knocked on the head at once； before they reach Admiral
Baldwin’s age。”
“Nay； Sir Walter；” cried Mrs。 Clay； “this is being severe indeed。
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 25
Have a little mercy on the poor men。 We are not all born to be
handsome。 The sea is no beautifier； certainly； sailors do grow old
betimes； I have observed it； they soon lose the look of youth。 But
then； is not it the same with many other professions； perhaps most
other？ Soldiers； in active service； are not at all better off： and even
in the quieter professions； there is a toil and a labour of the mind；
if not of the body； which seldom leaves a man’s looks to the natural
effect of time。 The lawyer plods； quite care…worn； the physician is
up at all hours； and travelling in all weather； and even the
clergyman—” she stopt a moment to consider what might do for
t