&c. The only pet birds were fighting cocks, perched under the chairs, or probably tethered in the corners. Cock fighting is a complete passion in Spanish

America.

"This is all that can be hoped for at Libertad.

"The rollers which set in on this beach, curl and break at times in four or five fathoms, at least a quarter of a mile off. Those within, which are the most dangerous, are caused by the offset or efflux.

"The sand beach is composed chiefly of magnetic iron sand, the dried superstratum, about one inch in thickness, caking in flakes free from admixture.

"The anchorage is uneasy, and, I should think, unsafe, and should be avoided near the full moon. Sudden rollers come in, which are apt to snap chain cables, unless with a long range.

"Poultry, bullocks, &c., are to be obtained, but compared with these of San Salvador or Realejo, the prices are exorbitant. Bullocks can only be embarked in one of these bongos."

AN EPITOME OF PRACTICAL NAVIGATION AND NAUTICAL ASTRONOMY; sanctioned by G. B. Airy, Esq., Astronomer-Royal; and dedicated, by permission. to the Right Hon. the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.-By J. Griffin, teacher of Navigation and Nautical Astronomy.-London Blachford and Imray, Minories.

The foregoing appears as the title of a book, which has just been thrown into the track of seamen, as they pass up the Minories; from the Docks to 'Change. Now, we are far from saying that a good book cannot find its way into the world, from a house in the Minories, but we do mean to say, that to call this work "A complete Epitome of Practical Navigation and Nautical Astronomy," is a downright, deliberate misnomer! It is a treatise on nautical astronomy with some explanations of the method of keeping a journal at sea. The author in his preface informs his readers that, his book is really intended to teach those to navigate their ships who only know the common rules of arithmetic. This appears almost as enticing as adapting his work to the "meanest capacity," as John Hamilton Moore of olden time was wont to do. But how Mr. Griffin effects his purpose while the sailings are entirely omitted is no where explained. We then find some letters from Mr. Airy, the Astronomer-Royal, to Mr. Griffin, or, (as they are styled) "testimonials.' The first letter states that, Mr Griffin's method of reducing lunars appears easier in practice than many others that Mr. Airy has seen, and can be made sufficiently accurate by attention in the construction of the table for the last correction. After this no one can doubt that Mr. Griffin's method is correct, but we cannot help thinking that few will bear witness to its applicability to practice.

The truth is, that all approximate methods for clearing the lunar distance, however short they may appear, are far less suited for actual work than many of the direct methods. The latter part of this letter and the whole of the third refers to some plan for finding the sun's right ascension, and has nothing to do with Navigation!

The fourth letter relates to a method of working the double altitude that Mr. Griffin appears to have communicated to the Astronomer-Royal, and of which he evidently does not approve. Why this letter should be called a testimonial is beyond our solution. But we hope for the sake of those seamen who pick up this book, should any of them do so, that this is not the method given for solving the important problem of finding the latitude by two altitudes.

In the directions for finding the index error of the sextant, the learner is not told how he is to obtain this important element when both readings are on, or, both off the arc! We once met with an excellent instrument which had been originally constructed with a very large error, both readings being on the arc. It is stated that the best plan for observing in the artificial horizon is to make one reflected image of the sun cover the other. This may be all very well for Mr. Griffin; but those who know any thing about the matter have had sufficient

experience to know that this is a kind of observation which cannot be depended on,-in fact is no observation at all! the most approved way, (by observing opposite limbs morning and afternoon) being to make the reflected images overlap each other and at the instant of their separation to call "stop."

But by way of assisting the author in making known to our readers, from his advertisement, the extraordinary claims which his book holds out to secure their patronage, we will preserve here for them (lest so much worth should be lost,) the high recommendations which it has already received, and with them our translation.

Recommendations

"This volume comes before the public with at least four strong recommendations."

1. "Its author is evidently a practical man."

2. "It is printed, and, technically speaking, it has been read with extraordinary care and accuracy."

3. "It is honoured by the high sanction of G. B. Airy, Esq., the Astronomer Royal."

4. "And it is dedicated, by permission, to the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Thus it may be regarded almost as an official publication. At all events, we can unhesitatingly pronounce it to be the best work of its class extant."

This volume comes before seamen with at least four strong recommendations!

1. Of the author's practice we have given proof above!

2. A 66 very extraordinary" recommendation indeed, technically considered!

2. See the references to the Astronomer-Royal's letters above-mentioned!

4. Several works have been dedicated to their Lordships,-their merits remaining unimproved, and their official character unestablished thereby. Therefore, this cannot be regarded as an official publication. At all events we cannot unhesitatingly pronounce it to be the best work of its class extant.

CHRONICLES OF THE CAREWORN, or Walks and Wanderings.-By Edward West. Parts 1 and 2.—Cunningham and Mortimer.

The object of the author is evidently that of doing good. He has succeeded in depicting scenes of existing misery, with the view of directing to them, the attention of the benevolent; so that the reader of his chronicles, be he stricken with the sorrows they relate, not only knows that he is reading no tale of fiction, but may forthwith through the author contribute to alleviate them.

THE EMIGRANTS HAND-BOOK OF FACTS.-Concerning Canada, New Zeeland, Australia, Cape of Good Hope, &c., with the relative advantages which each of the Colonies offer for Emigration, and Practical advice to Emigrants ;— By Samuel Butler, Esq.,

The foregoing title will at once convey to the reader the great value of the matter in the pages to which it is prefixed. Facts on such a subject are of vital importance to Emigrants, and the author cites too many instances where a want of the knowledge of them, has ended in disappointment and death. It should be consulted by all emigrants.

NEW CHARTS.

(Published by the Admiralty, and sold by R. B. Bate, 21, Poultry.)

NORTH AMERICA, East Coast, sheet 1.-Newfoundland, from surveys by James Cook, 1764-7, M. Lane, 1772-5, Lieut. F. Bullock, 1823-6, and Capt. H. W. Bayfield, 1834-5.

Extends to the meridian of 58° W., and includes St. Lewis Sound on the Coast of Labrador.

WOOSUNG RIVER, China-From the Lake of Tien Shan to Shang and Woosung,

by Commanders Kellett and Collinson, 1842.

CHAPOO ROADS, China.-By Commanders Kellett and Collinson, 1842.

BUSH'S SAFETY BEACON.-We have received a lithograph sketch, from which we extract the following:

"View of a Safety Beacon intended to be erected upon Shoals and Sand banks for the preservation of lives from shipwreck, submitted by Mr. William Bush, civil engineer, to a committee of the House of Commons, to the Commissioners of the Admiralty, and to the Trinity Board in the year 1836; being the prototype of the beacon erected by Capt. Bullock in September 1840."

We also find the following "Extract from a letter to Mr. William Bush from the Secretary of the Trinity Board, dated 20th December, 1842," beneath the sketch. "Sir I am this day in receipt of your letter, and having laid the same before the Board, I am directed to acquaint you that it appears that you attended this Board on the 19th July, 1836, and submitted a model, descriptive of a method by which you propose to erect Beacons upon sand-banks, and permission was then given you to send in an estimate of the cost of making such erection."

J. HERBERT.

N.B.-The beacon would weigh about 12 tons and could be floated to its destination. The whole cost would not have exceeded £300.

BOUNDARY LINE.-America.-We perceive Mr. Wyld has published a useful little map of the late disputed territory shewing the direction of the new boundary line, as settled by Lord Ashburton and Mr. Webster.

ADMIRALTY Orders.

Admiralty, Dec. 21st, 1842.

The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are pleased to direct that the annexed Memorandum which has been transmitted from the Colonial Department, be promulgated for the information of Officers of the Royal Navy and Marines, proposing to settle in the Australian Colonies.

All former notices on the subject of Officers settling in the Colonies, are to be considered as obsolete.

By Command of their Lordships,
JOHN BARROW.

Information for the use of Military and Naval Officers purposing to settle in the British Colonies.

1. Under the existing regulations for the disposal of Lands in the British Colonies, Military and Naval Officers cannot receive free grants of land; but, in those Colonies in which a privilege in the acquisition of land has been heretofore accorded to them, they are allowed a remission of the purchase money, according to the undermentioned scale :

Field Officers, of 25 years service and upwards, in the whole 3001.

Field Officers, of 20 years service and upwards, in the whole 2501.

Field Officers, of 15 or less years service, in the whole 2001.

Captains, of 20 years service and upwards, in the whole 2001.

Captains, of 15 years service or less, in the whole 1501.

Subalterns, of 20 years service and upwards, in the whole 1501.

Subalterns of 7 years service and upwards, in the whole 1001.

Subalterns, under 7 years standing, are not entitled to any remission in the purchase of land.

Regimental staff Officers, and Medical Officers of the Army and Navy, will be deemed to come within the benefit of this Rule.

2. Officers of the Army or Navy, who propose to proceed to the Colonies in order to take advantage of this indulgence, should provide themselves with Certificates from the Office of the General Commanding in Chief, or of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, showing that their emigration has been sanctioned, and stating exactly their rank and length of service. No document from the office of the Secretary of State is necessary.

3. Officers on half pay, residing in the Colony where they propose to settle, may be admitted to the privileges of Military and Naval Settlers, without referring to this country for testimo

nials, provided they can satisfy the Governor that there is no objection to their being allowed the indulgence, and that their return of their rank and length of service is accurate, and provided, if they belong to the Navy, that they produce their letter of leave of absence from the Admiralty.

4. Military Chaplains, Commissariat Officers and Officers of any of the Civil Departments connected with the Army, cannot be allowed any privileges on the subject of land. Pursers, Chaplains, Midshipmen, Warrant Officers of every description, and Officers of any of the Civil Departments connected with the Navy, must also be considered as not qualified for those privileges. Although members of these classes may have been admitted formerly, and under a different state of circumstances, they must now be excluded. Mates in the Royal Navy, will in future rank with Ensigns in the Army, and Mates of 3 years standing, with Lieutenants in the Army, and will be entitled respectively to corresponding privileges in the acquisition of Lands in the Colonies.

5. Gentlemen who have ceased to belong to Her Majesty's Service cannot be allowed the advantages to which they were entitled while in the Army or Navy. It is not however, proposed to affect by this rule, Officers who desire to quit the service for the express purpose of settling in the Colonies: it is only required, that when they resign their Commissions, they should apply for a certificate from the General Commanding in Chief, or from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that they do so with the view of emigrating, and such certificate, if produced to the Governor of any Colony within one year from its date, but not otherwise, will be a sufficient warrant for allowing the bearer the same advantages as Officers still in Her Majesty's Service.

6. An actual residence of two years in the Colonies, must be proved before the Title can be granted, except in case in which death may have occurred before the expiration of that period.

The following is, in general terms, the nature of the conditions on which Public Lands can be acquired in the Colonies adverted to in different General Orders of previous dates on the present subject.

In the Colonies of New South Wales, (including the Sydney, and Port Phillip Districts, and any other Districts that may hereafter be opened) Van Diemen's Land, South Australia, Western Australia, and New Zealand.

All Lands will be disposed of by sale alone, and must have once at least been exposed to public auction.

The lowest upset price will be not less than £1. per acre; but the Government will have power to rise the same by Proclamation, though not again to reduce it.

The Lands will be distinguished into three different classes; viz. Town Lots, Suburban Lots, and Country Lots.

Upon Town and Suburban Lots as well as upon a proportion not exceeding one tenth of the whole of the Country Lots offered for sale at any auction; the Governor will have the power of naming a higher than the general or lowest upset price: the country lots on which such power is exercised to be designated "Special Country Lots."

Town and Suburban Lots, will in no case be disposed of except by public auction, but Country Lots, which have already been put up to public auction and not sold, may be disposed of afterwards by private contract at the upset price.

No lands will be sold by private contract, except for ready money. When sold by public auction, one tenth at least of the whole purchase money must be put down, and the remainder within one calendar month, or the deposit will be forfeited.

Lands will be put up for sale in lots not exceeding one square mile in extent.

In Ceylon, land is sold by auction at an upset price of 5s. per acre, generally in lots of 100 acres each.

In Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, allotments of land will be granted to Officers on the same scale and conditions as before the general introduction of the system of selling the Crown Lands, viz.

To a Lieut. Colonel.
To a Major..

To a Captain

To a Subaltern.

1200 acres.

1000 acres.

800 acres.

500 acres.

In Prince Edward's Island officers cannot be allowed any privileges in the acquisition of land.

The several prices above mentioned will of course be subject at any time to revision by the proper Authorities, and the pecuniary amount of the Officer's remission cannot be increased on account of an increased value set upon the lands.

Note. For Canada and New Brunswick further information is necessary, and has been called for, on the effect which recent Colonial Laws may have upon the privileges of Military and Naval settlers.

THE PENELOPE.-She was one of the old 46 gun frigates, built after the French Hebe class, and which has recently been lengthened and converted into a steamfrigate, will be undocked at Chatham on the 29th inst., and towed to the river to Messrs. Seawards', to receive her engines, which are now ready. She was originally 152 feet long, and is now 215, having been lengthened 65 feet in midships. She is to have two engines, upon the new direct, or Gorgon, principle, 650 (collective) horse-power. She will be able to stow five hundred tons of coals in her boxes, and one hundred tons elsewhere-sufficient fuel to last her fifteen days. Her armament will consist of two 10-inch guns, and ten 32-pound carronades on the quarter-deck and forecastle, and eight 68-pounders of 65 cwt each, on the main-deck. Her complement will be 300 men, in addition to which she will have sufficient room and accommodation to carry with convenience a whole regiment of soldiers, and convey them to the Cape of Good Hope in about 30 days. When she has taken her engines on board she will return to Chatham, to be fitted with her masts, yards, and spars. She will be ship-rigged, and spread as much canvas as she did originally as a frigate. She will have the wire rope rigging, and will have Capt. Smith's paddle-box boats. It is expected she will be ready for sea by the middle of June.-Hants Standard.

PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.

[From the Naval and Military Gazette.]

Downing Street, Mar. 6.-The Queen has been pleased to appoint H. W. Hill, Esq., Commander in the Royal Navy, to be Lieut.-Governor of Her Majesty's Forts and Settlements on the Gold Coast.

MOVEMENTS OF HER MAJESTY'S SHIPS IN COMMISSION.