... Devotees of the Hearts of Oak legend of Jolly Jack Tar will not like his conversation with a young naval officer who claimed that seamen at time of battle were stimulated to action by no other motive than fear of punishment and likens the the sailors['] life to one of imprisonment. Of course, Jones was bound to find and record people of his own turn of mind but he was certainly not alone in hating the war for its waste of men and money -- the National Debt is frequently mentioned -- but what makes Jones interesting is his hidden agenda. The cry for universal suffrage was a platform for his revolutionary beliefs. Whilst reading his account, I could visualise him constantly looking back over his shoulder, with good cause!

He is told that Rochester is a lawless place and that there was likely to be trouble between the citizens and the visiting Russian sailors. whom the children ridiculed, calling out "Roos, Roos" whenever they appeared. These same Russians threw overboard some meat supplied to them by the Victualling Office, reason unknown; but it was not wasted, being retrieved and sold in the town the next day. Love Lane receives a mention and there is a garbled account of the Watts Charity as well as the information that the London papers are in the library daily at 3pm.

This fascinating little book is well worth the price ...