used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading One would be glad to be able to do more than give a mere handshake of farewell to such an English sailor as this.
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading One would be glad to be able to do more than give a mere handshake of farewell to such an English sailor as this.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
towards the shore from the water
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading One would be glad to be able to do more than give a mere handshake of farewell to such an English sailor as this.
beckonedverbUS /ˈbekənd/
past form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
carriesnounUS /ˈkæriz/
plural of “carry” — the act of carrying something
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
congregationnounUS /ˌkɑːŋɡrəˈɡeɪʃən/
a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
conjecturenounUS /kənˈdʒektʃər/
a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
conversedverbUS /kənˈvɜːrst/
past form of “converse” — carry on a conversation
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
Dampier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading One would be glad to be able to do more than give a mere handshake of farewell to such an English sailor as this.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading One would be glad to be able to do more than give a mere handshake of farewell to such an English sailor as this.
esteemnounUS /əˈstiːm/
the condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded)
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
From this reading One would be glad to be able to do more than give a mere handshake of farewell to such an English sailor as this.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading One would be glad to be able to do more than give a mere handshake of farewell to such an English sailor as this.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading One would be glad to be able to do more than give a mere handshake of farewell to such an English sailor as this.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
handshakenounUS /ˈhændʃeɪk/
grasping and shaking a person's hand (as to acknowledge an introduction or to agree on a contract)
From this reading One would be glad to be able to do more than give a mere handshake of farewell to such an English sailor as this.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
joined in matrimony
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading One would be glad to be able to do more than give a mere handshake of farewell to such an English sailor as this.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
not any; not one
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
obscuritynounUS /əbsˈkjʊrəti/
the quality of being unclear or abstruse and hard to understand
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One would be glad to be able to do more than give a mere handshake of farewell to such an English sailor as this.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
pleasuresnounUS /ˈpleʒərz/
plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
puffverbUS /pʌf/
smoke and exhale strongly
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
a person who is being chased
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
with low volume
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
quitsadjectiveUS /kwɪts/
on equal terms by payment or requital
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
any member of a ship's crew
From this reading One would be glad to be able to do more than give a mere handshake of farewell to such an English sailor as this.
sea-life
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
shadesnounUS /ʃeɪdz/
(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
ship'snounUS /ʃɪps/
possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
stridenounUS /straɪd/
a step in walking or running
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading One would be glad to be able to do more than give a mere handshake of farewell to such an English sailor as this.
carry out
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading One would be glad to be able to do more than give a mere handshake of farewell to such an English sailor as this.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading One would be glad to be able to do more than give a mere handshake of farewell to such an English sailor as this.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading CONCLUSION As Dampier steps over the ship's side the reader is prepared to learn that no more is heard of him.
tobacconounUS /təˈbækoʊ/
leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
tolerablyadverb
in an acceptable (but not outstanding) manner
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
vanishesverbUS /ˈvænɪʃɪz/
third-person singular of “vanish” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
at the time that
From this reading He is a shadow amongst a congregation of shades, and when he quits his comrades his first stride carries him into absolute obscurity, and he vanishes like a puff of tobacco smoke.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It would be pleasant to be able to follow him, to learn what sort of life he led, what new adventures, if any, he met with, what his health was, and what his means, the pleasures he took ashore, and the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he conversed before that dark old soldier Death quietly beckoned him out.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading One would be glad to be able to do more than give a mere handshake of farewell to such an English sailor as this.
a late time of life
From this reading I think we may take it that he never married whilst he pursued his sea-life; but when he came ashore for good he was tolerably advanced in years, and it would not be safe to conjecture what he did then.
