The two last pages were scribbled
over with sums--or, to speak more correctly, with combinations of
figures resembling sums. Here is a single example--
Ode to W. Bate
To bacca 9 and 1/2d
Haircutt 1s
Bliddin[1] ...... 18d.
To more bacca Oct. 10th do.
Ditto and shave ditto ditto
-----------------
Mem. do. to him 2s. 6d.
The fly-leaf started bravely with "D. Coffin, His Book." After this
the captain had fallen to practising his signature by way of start.
"D. Coffin," "Danl. Coffin," "Danyel Coffin," over and over, and
once "D. Coffin, Esq.," followed by "Steal not this Book for fear of
shame."
Danl. Coffin is my name
England is my nation
Falmth ditto ditto dwelling-place
And hopes to see Salvation.
After these exercises came a blank page, and then, halfway down the
next, abruptly, without title, began the manuscript which I will call
Captain Coffin's statement.
"Pass it to Lydia," said Mr. Rogers. "She reads like a parson."
"Better than most, I hope," said Miss Belcher, taking the book; and
this--I omit the faults of spelling--is what she read aloud--
Mem.
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