a youth passed in solitude , my best years spent under your gentle and feminine fosterage , has so refined the groundwork of my character that i can not overcome an intense distaste to the usual brutality exercised on board ship : i have never believed it to be necessary ; and when i heard of a mariner equally noted for his kindliness of heart , and the respect and obedience paid to him by his crew , i felt myself peculiarly fortunate in being able to secure his services .