from these four equations, if d

mb, en b, a, c, m and n may easily be found, and 6 may be then obtained from any other known deviation.

By solving equation (1.) with respect to tan %, the angle may be found corresponding to the angle -8,

Afterwards, by interpolation or reversion, the angle - may be obtained corresponding to the observed angle 2, and a table of double entry formed, giving the local attraction for every value of %, the arguments of the table being the observed angle and the dip. This table according to the theory of M. Poisson, ought to continue available in all quarters of the globe so long as the disposition of the masses of iron in the ship remains unaltered.

If, when the ship's head is on the magnetic north and south, no effects arise from local attraction, as was the case in the experiments of Captain Flinders, d1 = 0, 20, and hence d = 0, e = 0.

If the iron is symmetrically situate about the axis of the ship, then according to M. Poisson c = = 0, d = 0, e= = 0.

cos (3 — 8) sin 3 + a tan 0 sin 3 = b sin (? — §) cos <.

— a tan 0} nearly.

1+ (b − 1) cos24

(2.)

If d' is the local attraction, ', the magnetic bearing of any compass in any other distant part of the ship, or of the same compass after the disposition of the iron has been changed,

cos ('') sin '+ a' tan 0 sin '

but '-' 3 — 8

hence cos (3 — §) sin ? + a' tan 0 sin 3' = b' sin (?— d) cos (

eliminating tan

From this equation it may be possible to compute a table of double entry, giving the local attraction without knowing the dip, the arguments of the table being the observed angles of two compasses situate in different parts of the vessel. This table ought to continue available so long as the disposition of the masses of iron remains unaltered. The two compasses must of course be so distant as to have no sensible effect upon each other.

The theory of Mr. Barlow's plate, according to M. Poisson, depends upon the practicability of so disposing the iron in the vessel as to give to the constants a and b in equation (2.) the particular values a = 0, b = 1.

According to M. Poisson, the components X, Y, Z of the magnetic action of every system of bodies magnetised by the action of the earth, are linear functions of the components of the earth's magnetic force (force directrice du globe), so that X = Aa + BB + Cy Y = Da + EB + Fy Z = Ga + HC + Ky

a, B, y being the components in question, which are respectively equal to cos e cos (w), cos e sin (w), o sin 0. M. Poisson shows, by con siderations founded upon the symmetrical disposition of the iron in the ship about its axis, that B, D, E may each be taken equal to zero. By resolving the forces X + a, Y + C, which act upon the needle in the directions of the axes x and y in the directions towards the magnetic north, and towards the magnetic east, estimated by their action on the north or marked end of the needle, we have for the former

= {(A + 1) a + Cy} cos (4 w) + (E + 1) ẞ sin (↓ — w)

and for the force in the direction of the magnetic east,

(X + a) sin ( — w) — (Y + B) cos (↓ — w)

= {(A + 1) a + Cy} sin (4 — w) - {(E + 1) ẞ} cos (4—w)

== I cos & cos M + I cos &P cos 2A + I sin &N cos A;

the latter force

= I cos &P sin 2A + I sin oN sin A;

which are M. Airy's expressions in his Paper on the correction of the compass in iron-built ships, p. 181.

SIR ROBERT STOPFORD'S FAREWELL FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN

COMMAND.

Malta, May 15th. :-A farewell entertainment upon a grand scale was given on the 11th inst. to Admiral, the Hon. Sir Robert Stopford, by the officers of the Mediterranean fleet, at the Union Club House, Valetta. The Strada Reale was partially illuminated in the neighbourhood of the auberge, on either side the portals of which appeared a large anchor, wrought in amber-coloured lamps. The hall of the spacious building was lined with flags and emblematical paintings on canvass, and Turkey carpets covered the winding stairs ascending to the refreshment room-a marquee tastefully formed of flags; here the music from an excellent band invited us into the noble ball-room before us, the coup d'œil of which was highly effective. It might have contained, at the time we entered, about six hundred guests, and the bright eyes, animated smiles, glossy ringlets, and gossamer robes of the fair forms that flitted around us, the gay uniforms of naval and military officers, and the frequency of oriental costume-there being many Turks, both male and female, in the room belonging to the suite of the Prince of Lebanon, altogether struck us, as sober travellers, with no little admiration. Sir Robert Stopford and Lady Stopford, occasionally joined by their son and daughters, formed a very interesting group in one corner of the ballroom. The admiral, at half-past nine o'clock, had been received at the entrance of the auberge by the stewards, and we may say by the whole company assembled, on his arrival in the rooms, with strong manifestations of attention and respect; and he continued looking on at the mazy dance until he was conducted to the seat of honour at the supper-table. This was laid in a long and lofty hall, which was thrown open about twelve o'clock. At the lower end was a pyramidical transparency, in the centre of which appeared Greenwich Hospital, the government whereof the noble admiral returns to England to enjoy; and around this painting were medallions bearing the names of the ships in which he had served. On the outer line of the illumination was a picked crew of boys belonging to the fleet, dressed in blue jackets and white trowsers, mounted one above the other, the boy upon the topmast step whimsically "rigged" as a Greenwich pensioner, and at the sound of his "pipe " the steps were manned and unmanned. On either side the transparency were little marine drummers, the rattle of whose drums joined in with the acclamations of the guests as they hailed the toasts of the night. Round the cornice of the supper room were shields with the names of ships the officers of which were the "founders of the feast," spread upon one long and well-covered board below, and consisting of everything that could pamper appetite in the form of a cold collation.

The decorations of the table were highly emblematical of the cause of the entertainment; and a fine frigate, launched from the confectioner's hands, rode gallantly on a jellied sea in the midst. Champagne was literally more easy to be obtained than water, and many hundred corks must have started from the bottles' necks 'ere the supper-table, crowded by constant relays of guests, saw the last reveller depart.

Sir Watkin O. Pell, in a neat and emphatic address, proposed the health of the commander-in-chief, in whose honour the entertainment was given; upon which

Sir R. Stopford rose amid much cheering. With a voice, strong as though age had taken little from the worthy admiral's powers, he thanked the chairman and the company assembled for the compliment paid to him. He spoke of the length of his present stay on the station, and the satisfaction it had been to him that during his command the most perfect understanding had existed between the fleet and the good people of Malta. The sailors had been much on shore, but their conduct had been orderly, and the authorities of the island had brought but few charges against them. It might be expected of him that he would refer to the successes of the British arms in Syria; he should do so

but slightly; those successes, he need not say, had been the source of proud satisfaction to him. He had reason to thank all the officers under his command, many of whom he now saw around him, for their steady and gallant conduct in the late operations. He had to thank his second in command, too, Sir Charles Napier; but had Sir Charles Napier never been in the fleet, he felt assured that there was not a captain commeading a ship forming part of that fleet but, placed in Commodore Napier's situation, would as ably and as gallantly have carried out a commander-in-chief's orders. Much had been said as to whom the credit of the successes in Syria belonged; he (Sir R. Stopford,) thought that there would have been little difficulty in discovering who would have borne the blame had the British arms met with reverses; all that was done leading to the late favourable results had been done by his (Sir Robert Stopford's) orders as commander-in-chief; and he again said, that had not Sir Charles Napier been present, others would have been found to perform the part Sir Charles had performed; where all had done their duty, captains and lieutenants, and mates, and midshipmen, and seamen. The gallant admiral, after again thanking those around him for the honour they had done him, sat down amidst thunders of applause.

Sir Robert Stopford's speech was followed by many others. Captain Sir Samuel Roberts proposed the health of Sir Charles Napier; and then came that toast on which all parties are agreed, "The Ladies.' Again the bands in the ball-room struck up, and the dancing was renewed, which terminated not till the sun looked in upon the dancers and bade them good-morrow.

MARINE INSURANCE.

IN page 46 of this volume, we stated the case of the Wallaces for which they have been transported.

The following confessions which we were unable to find room for before, form too important a feature in the history of our mercantile marine, to be unnoticed in this Journal, and we therefore, preserve them as undeniable proofs of the working of the system on which that branch of our affairs is conducted.

Confessions of Patrick Maxwell Stewart Wallace and Michael Shaw Stewart Wallace as to the destruction of the ship Dryad.

The following are copies of the confessions made by the two brothers who were concerned with Capt. Loose in destroying the ship Dryad and other vessels for the purpose of defrauding the insurance companies. We omit the names of some parties for obvious reasons, and we also omit certain heavy accusations against persons in this and other countries. The confessions are in the hand-writing of the brothers respectively.

"Statement made by Patrick Maxwell Stewart Wallace to Mr. John Pirie, Alderman, shewing what part he took in defrauding the several insurance com. panies through the casting away of the Dryad, Capt. Loose.

"I, Patrick Wallace, carried on business in the ale and bristle trade at the residence of my father, No. 18, Cooper's-row, Crutchedfriars, from whom I rented my counting-house. About the month of August, 1839, the Dryad was lying in Liverpool, chartered by Zulueta and Co., to proceed on a voyage to Santa Cruz, in Cuba. My brother Michael, who held three-fourths of that vessel, came up to London from Liverpool, and one day, while walking with me in America-square, in the Minories, said to me, Patrick, if you promise to tell

nobody, I will let you know a secret of much importanee,' I said that I would not mention it, when he told me that he and Capt. Loose had agreed together that the Dryad should be cast away on her voyage out to Cuba, and that if I would insure a lot of goods in London I should have £500 for my share after all the money was paid. I agreed to this proposal, in consequence of which my brother Michael again went down to Liverpool. He shortly afterwards returned to London, came into my counting-house, and presented to me six blank Lills of lading, a signed in the genuine hand-writing of Capt. Loose, and I then filled up two of them (stamped) with goods, one to the amount of £715, the other to the amount of £698.

"I then employed Stott, the clerk to Nicholl and Co., to effect insurance on the £715 bill of lading in the Alliance Marine Insurance Company; also Lyndall and Hall, brokers, Leadenhall-street, to effect insurance on the £698 bill of lading in the Neptune Marine Company, which was done by them at a premium of 10 per cent.

"After the above-mentioned two bills of lading were filled up by me, my brother Michael still left the remaining four unstamped ones in my countinghouse, and, believing the Dryad was to be lost on her outward voyage, I thought it a good opportunity to make myself some money. Accordingly I filled up one of the bills of lading, with goods to the amount of £1,265, and got Stott to effect insurance on the same in the General Maritime Insurance Company, without my brother's knowledge, for I had a strong desire to put money in my purse independently of him.

"The Dryad sailed from Liverpool on her outward passage on the 7th of September, 1839, and nothing of consequence occurred (except in Lloyd's book that the Dryad had been on the Silver Keys, but got off,) until the 25th of December, 1839, when a letter from Capt. Loose to my brother arrived, along with the protest of the loss of the Dryad. Next day I took the protest to two of the parties interested, by my brother's desire, and requested them to recover the insurance done by them. I then began to think how I could get my protest to recover my £1,265 without their or my brother's knowledge, and it occurred to me that a bribe to a clerk who had access to it would be the most effective way, and I accordingly used the temptation of two sovereigns for the loan of it for a few days. I then handed it over to Stott, who got £80. per cent., or £1,012., from the General Maritime Company, but that company refused to settle in total loss until they should hear whether any of the cargo might be saved. Scott gave me the check for £1,012, which I paid in to my account in the London and Westminster Bank. Stott also recovered the £715 from the Alliance Marine Company, which I also paid in to the London and Westminster Bank to my account, giving my brother Michael £215, retaining the £500 for myself, being the sum I was promised for insuring these goods.

"I likewise received from Lyndall and Hall the £698 for goods done in the Neptune Marine Company; also £600 on freight insured by those gentlemen, which sum I paid my brother Michael, who paid them in to his account with the London and Westminster Bank.

"Finding that the General Maritime Company would not settle the balance on my policy before they had a specification of what goods were saved (a report having appeared in a London newspaper that part of the cargo had been saved) I desired Stott to write to the Consul-General at St. Jago de Cuba for a specification, which he did, and received for answer that the Consul had done everything he could to procure one, but did not succeed, and stated that Captain Loose had left for England two months previously with all the papers relating to the shipwreck. Stott afterwards recovered the balance from the General Maritime Company, amounting to £253, for me.

"One day Mr. Frost, sailmaker in Wapping, Captain Loose's executor, came into my office with a bundle of papers, saying that Captain Loose had died on his passage home, and these were the papers found in his possession. I looked over them, and my brother Michael and I agreed not to show them ENLARGED SERIES.NO. 8.-VOL. FOR 1841. 4 B