16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
there was that slight want of harmony between
the Sethians and the Knipperdollings at Botany
Bay – and in passing I may once more point
out, sir, that if this vessel supplied her people
with round rather than square plates, these
differences would be slighter still; for you are
to consider that a square plate has four corners,
each one of which makes it more than a
mere contunding instrument.' He perceived
from the civil inclinations of Captain Aubrey's
head and the reserved expression on his face
that the square plates issued to the Surprise
when she was captured from the French in
1796 would retain their lethal corners as long
as he or any other right-minded sea-officer
commanded her: the Royal Navy's traditions
were not to be changed for the sake of a few
broken heads. Stephen continued '... but generally
speaking there is no discord at all;
whereas very often the least difference of opin-