CHAPTER V.

THE "BRITANNIA" IN THE 'SEVENTIES.

Mr. Inskip Departs--His Statistical Diagram--Vindication of _Britannia_--Final Examinations a True Test--A "Facer" for the Old Salts--Mr. Inskip Triumphant--Captain Warry's Recollections--Lieutenants' Duties Ill-defined--"Goose" Dinners--Fighting by Authority--The _Dapper_--The _Ariadne_--A Tragic Incident--A Plucky Boatswain--The _Ariadne_ Abolished--A Possible Explanation--Mr. Knapp Resigns--An Unexpected Successor--A Generous Appreciation-- Committee of Enquiry--Recommends Abolition of Competition-- An Academic Proposal--Unanimity of Cadets--Admiral Ryder's Evidence--Dr. Woolley's Evidence--A Plausible Contention-- New Regulations--French at a Discount--Site for a College-- Dartmouth Recommended--A Dissatisfied Parent--The _Britannia_ in Parliament--The Royal Cadets--Lieutenant Mainwaring--Beagles Started--The Grave of "Jim"--A Phenomenal Admission--_Britannia_ Regulations--The Officer of the Day--The Cadet Captains--No "Hampers" Allowed--Punishments-- A Drastic Health Regulation--Captains in the 'Seventies-- Statistical Results 82