MASTER at Arms, among us, is an officer appointed to teach the officers and crew of a ship of war the exercise of small arms; to confine and plant centinels over the prisoners, and superintend whatever relates to them during their confinement. He is also to observe that the fire and lights are all extinguished as soon as the evening gun is fired, except those which are permitted by proper authority, or under the inspection of centinels. It is likewise his duty to attend the gangway when any boats arrive aboard, and search them carefully, together with their rowers, that no spirituous liquors may be conveyed into the ship unless by permission of the commanding officers. In these several duties he is assisted by proper attendants, called his corporals, who also relieve the centinels and one another at certain periods.