Self Help

Book Excerpt: calling. He was working as atailor's apprentice near Bonchurch, in the Isle of Wight, when thenews flew through the village that a squadron of men-of-war wassailing off the island. He sprang from the shopboard, and ran downwith his comrades to the beach, to gaze upon the glorious sight.The boy was suddenly inflamed with the ambition to be a sailor; andspringing into a boat, he rowed off to the squadron, gained theadmiral's ship, and was accepted as a volunteer. Years after, he...