thing that adds to the danger of this coast is, that owing to the threatening appearance of the sky every evening, and the violent thunderstorms and squalls at night, accompanied by heavy rain and lightning, the wind veering about, you are at first led to believe that the hurricane is coming every night, and latterly you see it is utterly hopeless to foresee the coming of it, as every night appearances were as bad as they could be; the barometer here being of little or no use, and a tremendous sea occasionally setting in. Thus the remaining off this coast during the hurricane season will cause great anxiety.

The squalls and gales usually commence about S. E. and quickly fly round to the southward and S.W.: you have generally time to get to sea when it commences at S.E.; but, as I have before shewn, you must go to sea every night, if you can, if you would be free from the danger of the Cordonazos coming on. But a tremendous swell frequently sets in, whilst the weather is in this threatening state, aud the wind still light, which makes it impossible to get out. Moreover, if our boats happened to be out, and on shore when the swell came, it was impossible to hoist them in, and for this reason we have frequently been obliged to send our boats from the ship, with their crews, to be hauled up on shore, and remain there until the swell went down, that I might be ready to slip and go to sea.

It appears that the Cordonazos come on an average once in six or eight years, and we experienced none during our stay, although we had a gale on the night of the 21st of September. I was fortunately underweigh, and had plenty of room, when it came on, having stood out to sea on the evening of the 19th, on account of the weather being bad, and fearing the full of the moon on the 20th.

It commenced about 9h. 30m. P.M., from S.E., flying round to S.W.; heavy rain, thunder, and lightning, with a very heavy sea, reducing us to close reefed main-topsail, and fore-staysail, washing away a boat, and obliging us to batten down. The squalls come on very suddenly, the prevailing winds being in the bad season from S.E. to S. and S, W., and the heavy swell usually before and after the full and change of the moon. The swell is such as is seen in the bay of Biscay in a heavy gale, and unfortunately usually sets into the bays before the wind comes.

I therefore think that a ship caught at anchor off San Blas or Mazatlan by a Cordonazo, would have small chance of escape, especially off the former, as she would either go on shore or go down at her anchors; to slip and stand out the instant it commences from S.E., is her best course.

The range of the thermometer for June was 77° to 86°; July 80° to 87°; August 81 to 89°; September 83° to 92°; October 83° to 90°.

The barometer appeared to be of little service, usually remaining at 30 inches: seldom varying above a tenth except during a heavy squall, when it rose considerably.

Our anchorage off San Blas during the bad season was usually in 12 fathoms soft mud,-Piedra de Mar N. 58° W., Piedra de Sierra just open to southward of bluff to the southward of San Blas river N. 47° E.; Point, off watering place N. 72° E.

Off Mazatlan during the same season in 23 fathoms, soft mud, Centre of Creston Isle N. 13o E., North-west extreme of North Venade Isle N. 28° W. Southernmost rock on South side of Mazatlan N. 30° E., Small black rock nearly covered N. 28° E.

I should not recommend a ship to lay closer than this, which is the best berth to get out from in case of bad weather.

Excellent biscuit can be procured at Guaymas, at a very moderate price;

and a most superior spirit, not inferior to the best whiskey, called Tequella Mascal, can be procured in any quantity at San Blas, at a very reasonable price, by applying to the Consul at Tepic.

After the 4th of November the coasting and other vessels again make their appearance on the west coast of Mexico. San Blas is very sickly during the bad season. Guaymas is healthy, although the thermometer stands there at the astonishing height of 106° in July, August and September, and owing to the extreme dryness of the atmosphere ships receive much injury by the wood opening. Furniture apparently well seasoned, there cracks and falls to pieces.

On this coast there are some immense fish of the ray species. I caught two of them, and with difficulty hoisted one on board, it measured 19 feet in breadth across the back, the mouth was 3 feet 5 inches wide, and the flesh was 3 feet 6 inches in depth in the centre. I had no means of ascertaining the weight, but found I could not lift it with the yard tackles and 60 men, it requiring 130 men with the heaviest purchases in the ship to hoist it in.

These fish are common on the west coast of Mexico and Gulf of California, where they are more dreaded by the pearl divers, than sharks, or any other fish. C. B. HAMILTON, Commander.

GOOD MANAGEMENT OF A HURRICANE.

We have been favoured with permission to print the following extracts of a letter written by a scientific military officer of rank, who was a passenger on board the ship Sir Robert Seppings to Ceylon from the Mauritius, and the letter is addressed to an officer of the government of that island. The extracts relate to two very different subjects; the one a beautiful instance of the truth and importance of the Law of Storms, and the other to the life led by the coolies on board ships, where they are kindly treated, when returning with their handsome fortunes, for such to them must be the sums they bring back. We have reasons to know that both pictures can be perfectly depended upon as we have seen the writer's chart, which was brought on, and the Log of the Sir Robert Seppings, whose able Commander, Capt. Stuart, by his masterly and scientific management of his ship, in crossing boldly in front of the storm circle (a manœuvre which must often be adopted,) has added another proof to the many now existing, how an able mariner can, in the words of the writer, who is one who has seen not a few of the Mauritius hurricanes, "bend even this demon power to his purposes" for we know here, and now, what he could only know then by the aid of the new science, that the storm really was raging at no great distance from him, and devastating the island of Rodrigues as only these frightful visitations can devastate.

We have reason to believe also that there is nothing in the least overcharged in the sketch given of the coolies. It would be curious to know the effect produced by the arrival of a few of these millionaire coolies in a village. Mauritius must be thought by the "home-keeping youths" amongst them to be a sort of silver California.

“MY DEAR ——, I said I would write to you from Ceylon; I think in doing so I cannot do better than make my subject a history of our first few days

adventures at sea. They will I think go far to illustrate the perfect truth and beauty of the theory of Circular Storms. As you know, we sailed in our excellent ship the Sir Robert Seppings on Wednesday afternoon the 4th of April. The gentle breeze just served to waft us clear of the shores, when it so far failed us that even at noon of the next day we yet discerned Round Island.

Excepting our lack of wind, (which we had not long to complain of,) the weather was most lovely and serene, but very sultry, and our next day, Friday, was ushered in with a most magnificent sunrise, very calm but a heavy swell from the south-east. The day was passed in listless apathy, when at dark a clear moon and a fine and fair breeze gave us some energy, and gratified our best wishes. Our sturdy ship increased her speed to our heart's content, and we were congratulating ourselves that, April having been so fairly begun, we were about to enjoy the first good results of the trades of the season. I am a bad sailor, sea sickness and an unsteady head prompted misgivings, and I fear unthankfulness, so at least it was with me. The increase from a gentle whisper to a rapid gurgle of the water, and from that rather suddenly to a continuous roar beneath my stern windows, the increased motion, and the clank of the tiller chains, spoiled my slumbers. I looked out on the lovely and apparently mild night, but I saw enough in the haze of the moon, and the “burr” of the planets, with a fleetly passing scud, to convince me that my dreams of mortal discomfort were about to be realized, and I had that night partaken of the last meal for some time. I had left an excellent barometer with our friend Col. Robe on shore, how I now wished for it. However Saturday's light appeared with a spanking breeze, and our worthy commander in good spirits, close hauled however, and nothing to spare. Whatever might be our inward thoughts we all appeared extremely lively in having so unexpectedly found the trades.

"It would not do: the increasing gale, the heavy clouds, and the murky gloom to the south-east, the onward and hurried, and even furious, career of the scud, told us that we must prepare. These were no signs of the trades, and the tremendous and irregular sea, the inexplicable heaping up of the troubled waves, the roar and whistling through the rigging, and the labouring of the ship, spoke to all our perilous position. It was becoming so at least, for although we were to windward of the Island of Cargados Garajs, and the intricate banks, we had run on sufficiently to make the heart of them a lee shore; not so close as to make it an immediate cause of anxiety, but sufficiently near to leave us little choice for shaping our course in an approaching hurricane, which, by the direction of the wind, we knew we were then steering for the centre of.

"The beautiful precision of Col. Reid's theory, so well worked up and sup ported by Messrs. Thom's and Piddington's labours, was now about to undergo a severe and practical test through the very means they have so anxiously desired and invited, namely, the judgment and intelligence of a daring English sailor. We consulted the Horn card on the chart, and, with a radius of 400 miles for the hurricane, asked him advice. He gave it to us nobly. Our commander, Capt. Stuart, saw his position and the approaching peril, and that he would be "hobbled." He knew his ship too, and, after consulting the elements, computing the time he required to get a clear sea way, and asking his barometer leave, away he stood boldly on. All precautions were in the mean time taken, hatches down, dead-lights, &c., in, masts and yards housed, and all made snug, and the lower rigging of the heavy masts secured by preventers and frapped, (swifted). So passed Sunday; we could keep

our course no longer, the furious gusts and the mountains of seas overwhelmed us; it would have been madness to stand on any longer; one object was attained, we had secured ample sea room, a pull at the weather braces, and a rather easing the lee ones, made a fair wind of our dreaded enemy, and, with all necessary and seamanlike precaution, away we went by a N.N.E. course for the outer edge, or limit of the fearful sway of this terment of the tropics. An extract from Captain Stuart's log, a copy of which I send you, will to a sailor best tell the tale how a good mariner can, by God's will, bend even this power to his own purpose. It will show how we made a fair wind and a true course towards our destination with such means; it will shew in fact how we employed a wind from south-east, or S.E.b.E., to very nearly south, going round by the west, and with a precision and a confidence quite wonderful even in these times. I have not yet cast the nativity of this naughty fiend, but I observed sufficient to find that it was a gale extending to a great radius, permitting us as it did to stand on so long.

"I am now very glad I came in this ship to witness such a specimen of seamanship without the slightest damage, and to be in a coolie ship. During all times and all weathers I never saw but an uninterrupted continuation of kindness and good will towards the coolies on the part of the Captain and officers.

"We have about 300 coolies, all Madras. Such a scene of hawking and screeching! I never imagined I possessed the head or the bowels to stand it. They say that the good citizens perched in the immediate vicinity of St. Paul's do not hear the great bell, so it must be as regards not only my hearing, but the senses concerned. A more filthy and noisy set I never saw, but a more happy and merry set I likewise never met with. By the kindness. of the Captain, the women, if they can be so called, are permitted to sit immediately close and around the cuddy doors, the boys and invalids also encroach very near. All the rest enjoy true happiness around the capstan or on the long boat, there they lounge, chewing betel, cracking apparently ex. cellent jokes, or, in little knots, to my astonishment, playing regular whist! but going round left handed; the odd trick played for with the same interest and zest as would be shown by- or, the great pleasure appearing to be to dab down each card with a great air on the deck; there is then a violent altercation and criticism on the subject of the trick. In fact in my life I never expected to see so much positive luxury and comfort in Coolie life.

"Most of the men possess a large quantity of extra food and luxuries, many eat off China plates; there is a constant display and counting rupees, and very large sums are handed over to the Captain to take care of during the voyage; he states he has nearly £5,000 of their monies. One fellow amuses me very much; he is a millionaire, smokes the best cigars, wears an enormous turban, but such a complaisant fellow that he is a general favourite; he is the first to pull and haul, sweep decks, or do anything; yet he is in possession of £3,000 rupees!"-Calcutta Englishman, June 15th.

NEW BOOKS.

PROFESSIONAL RECOLLECTIONS ON POINTS OF SEAMANSHIP, DICIPLINE, &c.—By Capt. Francis Liardet, R.N.-Portsea, Woodward; London, Longman, 1849. WHEN a naval officer of experience and judgment relates his "Professional Recollections on points of seamanship, discipline", and those innumerable inci

dents connected with them that attend a sea-life, he confers a benefit on the rising youth of his profession, who would do well to avail themselves of it. There is perhaps no subject in which officers differ more in opinion upon, than in that of seamanship, and the plan of Capt. Liardet appears to take each portion of the whole duty of the officer in this important branch of his profession, and give him the benefit of his own experience, with the proper way of executing it. We will for the present illustrate Capt. Liardet's method with the following extracts. The first, is on the best sail to bring a Ship to anchor under. "It has appeared to me, that with a commanding breeze, the three top-sails, jib, and driver, are the most seamanlike sails to bring a ship to anchor under. I advance this opinion with the greatest deference to many good officers who continually bring their ships to an anchor under a heavy press of sail, with the view of shortening all sail at once. No one can doubt the beauty of this evolution; it is one that astonishes all but the initiated; in reality it is frequently a manœuvre of the greatest trickery, such as singling top-sail sheets, clewing the top-sails up to the caps with burtons, stopping the hauling parts of the top-sail buntlines to the yards, so as to make the weight of the top-sail yards haul up the buntlines at the same time; and in this way the top-gallant yards clew up the royals, and the top-sail yards clew up the top-gallant sails, the clewlines being previously marked before being stopped, to allow for the different lengths of the masts, &c.

"If a ship take in all sail in the manner I have described, I ask any sailor, is it possible for that ship, with all her unnecessary gear, single top-sail sheets, &c. to make sail again as quickly, if required, as the ship which comes to an anchor under manageable sail, without the aid of trickery?

"If you add to the above, studding-sails lying about the deck, with the frequent occurrence of carrying away anchors or cables, torn sails, and sometimes loss of life, &c. I have observed that ships which practised this manœuvre most, were generally those that were the most out of their station, and often obliged to unmoor to take up a fresh berth. A ship should take in her studding-sails, royals, and flying jib well together, and have her studding-sails quickly in their places; next take in courses and top-gallant sails with a good clear run, furling the top-gallant sails immediately, then take up your berth under the three topsails, jib, and driver, and, if you can, run your cable out without the assistance of your sails; take them all in together, to the word "Lower away," or "Square away;" minding to have the squaring marks of your lifts and braces in at the same moment.

From what I have said, I do not infer that in single ships the men should not frequently be practised in taking in all possible sail together. I only mean to observe, that in a fleet, with a commanding breeze, ships will take up their stations better under three top-sails, jib, and driver, and if they get into danger, they will be more manageable, and more ready to make sail to get out of it. In ships where they are in the habit of making running moors with fresh way on the ship (though the defects in this mode of mooring a ship may not be observed in the anchors, cables, or on the copper at the time of weighing,) still we think, that if this subject were closely analyzed, that it would be found that those vessels which continually practise this evolution, have had more casualties with their anchors or cables, than other ships not following this manœuvre. It must be remembered that snubbing a vessel with a chain cable brings the strain more directly on the anchor, and that the chain cables are more liable to injury from sudden jerks, than rope cables, more particularly when snubbed at a short scope with the force of ship's fresh way.

"When a ship is making a running moor, and happens from some accident to be brought up all standing, or greatly checked in running out her cables, it would, perhaps, be well to take an early opportunity of sighting the anchor and examining the cable."