The first edition of this book is dated 1840. The publisher was George Routledge and Sons. The number of pages is 372.

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General information

Captain Frederick Marryat was born July 10 1792, and died August 8 1848. He retired from the British navy in 1828 in order to devote himself to writing. In the following 20 years he wrote 26 books, many of which are among the very best of English literature, and some of which are still in print.

Marryat had an extraordinary gift for the invention of episodes in his stories. He says somewhere that when he sat down for the day’s work, he never knew what he was going to write. He certainly was a literary genius.

“Poor Jack” was published in 1840, the sixteenth book to flow from Marryat’s pen. It is principally set on the banks of the River Thames, as it flows through London, in particular at Greenwich. Many of the landmarks described still exist, though their use may have changed in two centuries! Like “Jacob Faithful”, which also takes place to a large extent, though in a different manner, on the London River Thames, the descriptions of the working of lighters, wherries, and other light boats, is especially interesting.

This e-text was transcribed in 1998 by Nick Hodson, and was re- formatted in 2003, and again in 2005.

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Contents

Chapter I.
In which, like most people who tell their own stories, I begin with the histories of other people.

Chapter II.
My father does what most sailors do—He makes a foolish marriage, one of the consequences of which is brought to light at the end of the chapter.

Chapter III.
In which my mother proves herself a tender wife, and at the same time shows her patriotism and devotion to her country.

Chapter IV.
In which I tell the reader all I can recollect about myself, and moreover prove the truth of the old adage “that it is a wise child who knows its own father.

Chapter V.
My father and mother meet after an absence of six years. She discovers that he is no longer a Coxswain but a Boatswain’s Mate.

Chapter VI.
A bright pleasant evening after a squall, in which the art of angling is introduced in a way which would have added to the knowledge of Izaac Walton himself.

Chapter VII.
In which my mother gives my father a scriptural lesson. My father’s grief at parting with an old friend—He expostulates with my mother and quits the house.

Chapter VIII.
In which the doctor pays a visit and receives no fee; and I am obliged to work very hard to procure myself a livelihood.

Chapter IX.
In which I take a cruise contrary to the received rules of navigation—On my return from a cold expedition, I meet with a cold reception.

Chapter X.
In which I narrate what I consider the most fortunate incident in my life; and Ben the Whaler confides to me a very strange history.

Chapter XI.
In which the doctor lets out some very novel modes of medical treatment, which are attended with the greatest success.

Chapter XII.
I prefer a suit to Old Nanny, and procure a new suit of clothes—The advantage of being well dressed—You may walk out with the ladies.

Chapter XIII.
I am so unfashionable as to pay my debts—Ben’s opinion as to my father’s return—the chances exemplified in the list of killed and wounded—the L’Orient blowing up, and the Royal George going down.

Chapter XIV.
My father makes his appearance, having left his leg, but not his tail, behind him—My father is pensioned off by my mother as well as by his country.

Chapter XV.
In which is proved the truth of the proverb “When your own house is made of glass, you never should be the first to throw stones.

Chapter XVI.
Showing how Old Nanny fell sick and got well again.

Chapter XVII.
A morning concert, in which the opposition is as great as black to white.

Chapter XVIII.
I get into very doubtful company—I am tempted, and, like a true son of Adam, I fall.

Chapter XIX.
I am tempted again—My pride is roused, and my course of life is changed in consequence.

Chapter XX.
Much ado about nothing; or, a specimen of modern patronage.

Chapter XXI.
A most important present is made to me; and, as it will eventually appear, the generosity of the giver is rewarded.

Chapter XXII.
In which a story is begun and not finished, which I think the reader will regret as much as, at the time, I did.

Chapter XXIII.
“Recollect,” says the fellow, “you have thrown overboard a black tom cat!“

Chapter XXIV.
Bramble’s method of education proves very effective—he also points out a position in which you may prefer your enemies to your friends.

Chapter XXV.
In which Bramble points out to me that singing is part of the profession of a pilot.

Chapter XXVI.
In which I go afloat, and obtain some knowledge of the English Channel.

Chapter XXVII.
Showing the importance on board ship of a rope’s end well applied.

Chapter XXVIII.
Some little difference in the proceeds of this chapter, and my former “copper for Poor Jack, your Honour.

Chapter XXIX.
In which I learn the history of Old Nanny.

Chapter XXX.
Strong symptoms of mutiny, which is fortunately quelled by granting a supply.

Chapter XXXI.
In which my father proves he can give good advice as well as Peter Anderson.

Chapter XXXII.
In which there is a hop, skip, and a jump.

Chapter XXXIII.
In which the sine qua non of all novels is, for the first time, introduced.

Chapter XXXIV.
More cry than wool—Bramble would dig a pit for another and tumbles in along with him.

Chapter XXXV.
We have great hopes of not seeing the inside of a French prison, but we are disappointed.

Chapter XXXVI.
With those powerful agents, fire and water, we contrive to escape from a French prison.

Chapter XXXVII.
Another escape, more fortunate than the one recorded in the preceding chapter.

Chapter XXXVIII.
Which is all about love—Bramble confides to me all his acquaintance with the tender passion.

Chapter XXXIX.
In which I receive a very severe blow from a party or parties unknown.

Chapter XL.
Showing the great advantages to be derived from patronage.

Chapter XLI.
In which it is proved that sailors have very correct ideas as to metempsychosis.

Chapter XLII.
A heavy gale, a wreck and a rescue.

Chapter XLIII.
A scene in the hospital, and a strange discovery.

Chapter XLIV.
Spicer discloses strange matters.

Chapter XLV.
Spicer’s death.

Chapter XLVI.
In which Mrs. St. Felix refuses a splendid offer which I am duly empowered to make to her.

Chapter XLVII.
In which a new character appears upon the stage, and I play the part of a pilot on shore.

Chapter XLVIII.
My sister Virginia is at last placed in a situation which is satisfactory to my mother as well as to herself.

Chapter XLIX.
My father, much to his surprise, has a bit of land to put his foot upon, and say, “This is my own.

Chapter L.
An adventure which at first promised to be the most unfortunate, and eventually proved the most fortunate in my life.

Chapter LI.
Being the last chapter, the reader may pretty well guess the contents of it.

Chapter LII.
Finale.

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