sea-brute

Updated: June 9, 2025

"But," said I, "as the war with France is now over, and that with America will be terminated no doubt very shortly, I have no wish to put you to the expense, or myself to the trouble, of fitting out a sloop of war in time of peace, to be a pleasure-yacht for great lords and ladies, and myself to be neither more nor less than a maitre d'hotel: and, after having spent your money and mine, and exhausted all my civilities, to receive no thanks, and hear that I am esteemed at Almack's only `a tolerable sea-brute enough. A ship, therefore," continued I, "I will not have; and as I think the Continent holds out some novelty at least, I will, with your consent, set off."

Frederick Marryat - Frank Mildmay : Or, the Naval Officer