"If you feel fit for duty I would very strongly advise you to join at the earliest possible moment, as at present the _Europa_ has only her three lower-masts stepped.  She is in the hands of the riggers, and I am of opinion that it would be of the utmost service to you if you could be on the spot to witness the process of rigging; you would thus obtain at first hand an insight into details, which will assuredly stand you in good stead when you come to present yourself for examination.  I ought, perhaps, to inform you that in the event of your deciding to act upon my advice it will be necessary for you to take up your quarters temporarily aboard the receiving hulk, but this inconvenience will be more than compensated by the knowledge that you will gain.  For myself, I am putting up at the `George' in the High Street, and it will be well for you to report yourself to me there upon your arrival.  I have written to your father, explaining everything; I need therefore add nothing to this beyond the expression of the hope that you may be able to avail yourself to the fullest extent of this splendid opportunity for gaining a great deal of most useful knowledge in a very short time.--Yours sincerely, Henry Vavassour."