16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
of his friend's closest associate. The attempt
is rarely successful, I believe, and
perhaps Martin never even ventured
upon it. However that may be, they are
not friends, and this means that he is
looked upon by the people with less
consideration than I think he deserves. It
surprises me: I must say that I thought
they would have used him better. Perhaps,
as far as many of the ship's present
crew are concerned, it is to some
degree a question of these wretched
tithes, which so many of them resent:
and he is now one of those who receive
or who will receive the hated impost.
In any event, I am afraid he is losing
his taste for life. His pleasure in birds
and marine creatures has deserted him;
and an educated man who takes no delight
in natural philosophy has no place