Thank you for posting this Margaret C. Francis Austen's report makes a vivid and exciting read - like something from a Patrick O'Brien novel.

This gives us a brief glimpse into the reality of life at sea during the Napoleonic wars - what a contrast with the atmosphere in Elizabeth Elliott's elegant drawing room!

I see a contrast too between the men for whom this was their workaday reality, and creatures like Sir Walter and Mr Elliott, who look pallid by comparison (and I'm not just referring to sun-tan). Perhaps the nature life at sea does something to explain the informality and the strength of the friendships we see among the Naval men ashore in 'Persuasion'.