It is said, on good authority, that a Captain once ventured to dine at five, when the Commodore's hour was four.

Next day, as the story goes, that Captain received a private note, and in consequence of that note, dined for the future at half-past three.
Though in respect of the dinner hour on board a man-of-war, _the people_ have no reason to complain; yet they have just cause, almost for mutiny, in the outrageous hours assigned for their breakfast and supper.
Eight o'clock for breakfast; twelve for dinner; four for supper; and no meals but these; no lunches and no cold snacks.

Owing to this arrangement (and partly to one watch going to their meals before the other, at sea), all the meals of the twenty-four hours are crowded into a space of less than eight! Sixteen mortal hours elapse between supper and breakfast; including, to one watch, eight hours on deck! This is barbarous; any physician will tell you so.

Think of it! Before the Commodore has dined, you have supped.

And in high latitudes, in summer-time, you have taken your last meal for the day, and five hours, or more, daylight to spare! Mr.Secretary of the Navy, in the name of _the people_, you should interpose in this matter.