Explain why Walton feels particularly fortunate to have secured the master of his ship.

Walton feels fortunate that he was able to secure a master, who was not only a top choice, but someone who is able to master the ship without the usual brutality one finds in a man of his position.

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 cannot 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.