Libraries Afloat

ABOVE the bar in the Merchant Navy Officers' Club in Gibraltar there is a card upon which are printed Dr. Johnson's words: “No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into jail; for being in a ship is being in jail with the chance of being drowned.” It is well for this country that, in spite of these words, there are men still beating west and south in search of cargoes in all seas and in all kinds of ships. For five years during the late war I was in their company in stress of weather and in moments of danger at the hands of the enemy. In place of my pre‐war ignorance and a slight contempt there is now a profound and sincere appreciation of their real qualities.