If the design of those who are writing on this
subject is merely to draw public attention to it, and to discourage
the practice of flogging, and bring it into disrepute, it is well;
and, indeed, whatever may be the end they have in view, the mere
agitation of the question will have that effect, and, so far, must
do good. Yet I should not wish to take the command of a ship
to-morrow, running my chance of a crew, as most masters must, and
know, and have my crew know, that I could not, under any
circumstances, inflict even moderate chastisement. I should trust that
I might never have to resort to it; and, indeed, I scarcely know
what risk I would not run, and to what inconvenience I would not
subject myself, rather than do so. Yet not to have the power of
holding it up in terrorem, and indeed of protecting myself, and all
under my charge, by it, if some extreme case should arise, would be
a situation I should not wish to be placed in myself, or to take the
responsibility of placing another in.
Indeed, the difficulties into which masters and officers are
liable to be thrown, are not sufficiently considered by many whose
sympathies are easily excited by stories, frequent enough, and true
enough of outrageous abuse of this power.
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