more than necessary. Now, was this the consequence of hurry and confusion, or was it that there were certain other indications of danger on the starboard bow, which the reefs off the island would show by the surf breaking on them? This is best known to those on board. But we have a right to expect that to clear a solitary rock in the ocean such as the Bonetta is reported to be, she would take the shortest means of getting up to the wind; and this was not done!

Well, the Charlotte just clears the second breakers on the lee bow, and she heads about E.N.E. But she is a sinking ship from this time and is abandoned to her fate, half an hour after midnight. We have endeavoured to ascertain how much easting she really did make at this time; but our question is unanswered. Probably she may have made five or six miles, perhaps eight, (we should think not more) when the crew and passengers are in the boats, and we are told by the log "lay to until daylight," when Bonavista is found to bear "N.W". Here we come at once to a most important statement, imparting to the chain of our reasoning, a strength, which could hardly have been expected in matters of this kind. The island of Bonavista bears N.W. Will our readers lay down the Charlotte's own position of the rock as stated in the Consul's letter in 16° 17′ N. and 22° 21′ W. From this position we will suppose her to have made good, about six miles due east; she was heading E.N.E. the variation and current would be against each other, therefore she may have made a good easterly course of six miles. Here the boats leave her as she foundered. Now the boats must have had some slight drift before daylight; say they drifted four miles to the S.W. From this position as Captain Hains observes, the island of Sal bears N. W. but that was too far off to be seen, and the boat must have drifted at least 16 miles further south, or 20 miles in all, at least, to bring even the northernmost part of this island to bear N.W. This again would be 20 miles off them and invisible in a boat, but the highest part of the island might have been seen at that distance; and to bring that to bear N.W. they must have drifted at least 3 miles more to the S.W., making in all a drift of 23 miles in about five hours.

We may fairly conclude such a thing impossible among the Cape Verde Islands. But it would be quite possible to have the island bearing N.W. allowing the reef she struck on to be about four miles off the land, and that the vessel had made the same easting after she struck, and the boats had drifted south-west about four miles after leaving her. The island might then be about ten miles off them on the bearing of north-west. Now we know from experience that distances at sea are always overstated. A vessel will suppose herself twenty miles from a coast when she is much less. Could we arrive at the actual distance of the boat the next morning from the land, it would go far towards deciding the question. If it be admitted that the north-west bearing is correct, that, along with the reasoning which we have adduced is sufficient to determine it. But if that be stated to be incorrect, what part of the log is correct we would ask? No, we could admit of no such statement. The bearing is deliberately entered in the log; the log is brought home and delivered to the owner many days after, and we are bound to receive it as a true statement to the best of the master's judgment in common with the rest of the contents

of the log. Had the master taken the angle of elevation of the highest land of Bonavista, that would have enabled us to arrive at the distance of the boats from the land; but these things are never thought of, or if thought of, are seldom or never done on these occasions.

What then are our conclusions? It is shown by the reckonings of our correspondents, that the place of the rock assigned to it by her commander is incorrect, or else their own must be. It is shewn by the Charlotte's log and the observations, that she was under the influence of a south-west current,-which current it is also shown, by the high and indisputable authorities we have quoted, is prevalent about the Cape Verde Islands. It is shown that there are two reefs instead of one, the Charlotte having struck on one, and getting off it about a quarter of an hour afterwards, just cleared the second on her lee bow. It is shown that by the bearing of Bonavista the next morning from the boat, the rock on which the Charlotte struck could not possibly be either in the place assigned to it, by her commander, or our correspondents; and it is shown that the most probable place of the Bonetta rock is the Hartwell reef. Such are our conclusions, and when we see that the current has not been considered, either by the commander of the Charlotte, or the gentlemen who have so considerately worked her days' While works; we do not see how it is possible to arrive at any other. we are rejecting the position which the Charlotte places it in, we do We are satisnot for a moment doubt the veracity of her commander. fied that he believed his reckoning to be perfectly correct; he gave the position of the rock, as he had found it; and we are no less satisfied, that, striking suddenly on the reef at the distance of four miles nearly off land, in the dusk of the evening, the island might not be seen through the mist occasioned by the surf, and the confusion which would ensue. The distance from the island the next day, which might have been determined by an angle of elevation of the land, would, as we have before observed, determine the question. But such as it is in its present state we leave it, fully persuaded that, under all the circumstances we have stated, and the deep water soundings which the chart presents in further support of our views, the Bonetta rock is no more than a part of the Hartwell reef. But whether it is or is not, sufficient reason will have been adduced to caution vessels to make a good allowance for the effects of a current in passing to windward of the Cape Verde Islands, without passing to the westward of them, as recommended by the American Consul, to avoid "the outlying reefs of Bonavista.”

There are one or two points yet which have arisen in this discussion, on which we may say a word before parting with it. The Hartwell reef has been before us, and it would be interesting to know where the Hartwell considered herself to be by her reckoning when she struck. Her log, we presume, is preserved in the India house, as she is said to have been an East Indiaman, and having treasure on board.

Another remark we would add is, that all the positions assigned to the Bonetta Rock, are comprised within seventeen miles of latitude, but range through nearly a degree of longitude, and all to the northward and eastward of Bonavista,-shewing a far greater westerly set than a southerly one, and agreeing with the conclusions of Major Rennell.

The only other remark we have to add, relates to the form of the Charlotte's log. As Mr. Livingstone says, we were in hopes "the oldfashioned plan of two hours and beginning the day at noon had discontinued." Really it is high time they should be. Of what earthly use can it be to begin the day at noon, but to perplex and confuse statements in which the civil day is used, beginning at midnight. This method of reckoning, was long since discontinued in the Royal Navy, and why not discontinue it in the merchant service. The two hour courses we look on as perfectly discreditable in the present day, and as a mode of keeping a reckoning that should not be allowed by any owner. We have already extended these remarks beyond ordinary bounds, but we must conclude them with the following extract from Mr. Raper's Practice of Navigation, in the sentiments of which we entirely coincide, and are glad to find them in a work which we have already recommended to our readers, as the first of its class yet published.

"It certainly seems desirable that a systematic method of keeping ships' logs should be universally adhered to. It appears a needless, and is surely, a very perplexing arrangement, that the forenoon should be Saturday and the afternoon of the same day Sunday. The astronomical day (which is reckoned in this way,) has, indeed, for its beginning the sun's meridian passage at noon, because this is a fact that may be observed, and is taken as a point of departure; and when we have to make astronomical calculations, we of course, refer to the beginning of the astronomical day. But surely no satisfactory reason can be given for employing astronomical time for civil purposes, and thus perplexing the common transactions of life by considerations which have nothing whatever to do with them.

"In merchant ships the log is most commonly marked every two hours only; much is thus left to guess-work in cases of alteration of course or wind. But this is not the worst part of the system, for instead of writing against the hours the distance run, the rate for the two hours is written, so that instead of adding up distances with a reasonable chance of some compensation of errors, the rates are multiplied with the certainty of doubling the error upon each hour's run."

THE GOODWIN SANDS-The foundation.-Plan for boring.

Ramsgate, Nov. 4, 1841.

SIR. As there appears to exist much anxiety, (in a geological as well as mechanical point of view,) to ascertain what is really the base of the Goodwin Sands, I am induced to offer a few observations upon the subject.

That its base is a ledge of chalk clift or rocks, there is little room to doubt, while ships anchor upon all its outskirts over a chalky bottom; and from the nature of all chalk formations on land, it is fair to infer, that but for the abrasion of the waters, there would have been no steep face or side to the outer edge of these shoals, and that a line curving from the inner to the outer soundings, similar to all chalk downs on shore, would give, with tolerable accuracy, the depth of sand accumulated on their crown. Through this upper strata of sand, many

attempts have been made to bore with augurs, very similar to those used in sinking an artesian well, and thus far such efforts have been ineffectual; because, when the augur is withdrawn, the live sand fills up the orifice, and polishes the augur so effectually in its return through it, as to obliterate all traces of the chalk or other soil, which it might have reached in its lowest depression, I believe it has been perforated to a depth of twelve or fifteen feet, when the tools used have given way, being unequal to the work,-and it is therefore necessary to consider, whether assistance cannot be given by mechanical means.

I should imagine that a combined operation of boring and driving might give better prospect of success. Suppose a strong pile with a small iron tube, sufficient for the augur to pass throughout its whole length in the core or heart of the timber, and fitted with a temporary cap at its upper end while driving. When the driving became heavy the cap might be removed, the augur inserted, and boring commenced; and with an augur properly constructed to free itself, the loose sand would be drawn up the iron tube, and the lower end of the pile being thus eased by loosening and drawing away the strata from its foot driving might recommence, and thus the two operations facilitate each other in alternate succession. Again, that beautiful invention the screw-pile, I should think, might be constructed with a tube in its centre through which an augur might be passed and worked with alternate power and effect.

I throw out these few hints to practical mechanics, there is a long winter for cogitation on the subject, and when the calm days of spring set in, I hope the scientific and adventurous will have better tools provided for their operations.

To the Editor, &c.

I am, &c.

H. B. MARTIN,

Harbour-Master.

CHINESE METAPHORS.

THE few sentences here given will exhibit some of the most current notions of the Chinese upon the heavens, and metaphors drawn from them. The explanations are also those of the Chinese. Few people relish racy sayings and neatly turned allusions better than this people, and few use them more frequently.

1. When the primeval chaos was first separated, then the dual powers began to be fixed.

The idea of chaos is expressed by bubbling, turbid water; heaven and earth are the dual powers; before the chaos was separated, these two powers were mingled and pent up as a chick in ovo; but when the renowned Pwankoo appeared, who was the offspring of these powers, then their distinction and operation were apparent. Pwan means a basin or receiver, referring to the shell of the egg koo usually means ancient; but here it means (we are told) solid, to secure, intending to show how the first man Pwankoo was hatched from the primeval chaos by the dual powers, and then settled and exhibited the arrangement of causes which produced him-(we would add)—a mode of explaining the creation peculiarly Chinese.

2. The light and pure parts of chaos ascended and floated, forming heaven.

3. The heavy and foul parts of chaos descended and solidified, forming earth.

Gods are the noble (yang) spirits of heaven; demons are the ignoble (yin) effluence of earth. The light and pure ether was 10,800 years in rising and forming heaven; the glorious and animated portions concreted and made the sun, moon, planets, and stars, which when completed all moved in harmonious concert. The heavy and foul parts that descended were also 10,800 years in solidifying and forming the globe; from the best were made the hills, rivers, and fountains, and when all where completed, cities, and towns arose.

4. The sun is the focus of all the male principles.

5. The moon is the type of the great female principle.

The sun is the lord of life; like a great prince, he nourishes and bestows his favors; the, moon, his spouse or queen, is matched to him; together they arrange and marshal their nobles and courtiers, i. e. the stars and planets.

6. The rainbow is called tae tung, and is the impure vapor of heaven and earth.

7. The toad in the moon is the bright spirit of the moon.

When the foul vapors rise from the earth, and meet those descending from the sky, a rainbow is the product; it is always opposite to and tallies with the sun, and is duplicated. The Chinese fable that Chang-go drank the liquor of immortality, and straightway ascended to the moon, where she was changed into a toad, which they always trace in the face of the moon.

8. A whirlwind is called a ram's horn.

9. A flash of lightning is called the Thunderer's whip.

10. When the flakes of snow fly in sixes, it is a sign of a fruitful year.

Snow and rain come from the earth, they do not descend from the high heaven. The flakes of snow and the petals of flowers are usually in fives, and when the snow is in sixes it shows a predominance of the yin principle, or that of the earth, and by consequence that there will be much rain.

11. "The sun is up three rods," is to say that you are late.

12. "The dogs of Shuh barking at the sun," is a metaphor for those who learn little from what they see.

13. "The oxen of Woo panting at the full moon," ridicules those who are excssively timid.

The hills of the country of Shuh were so high that the days were very short, and the dogs on seeing the sun were terrified, and set up a simultaneous howl. The country of Woo had oxen which feared the heat, and seeing the moon, began to pant, supposing it to be the sun; just as Poo Fun, who, fearing the cold, shivered as he saw the north through a glass screen.

14. To cover one's-self with the stars, and to put on the moon,' speaks of a fleet post travelling early and late.

15. To be washed by the rain, and combed by the wind,' is a figure for the hard toil of those who are exposed to the weather.

16. To be busy without a purpose is like the clouds driven about without a thought; i. e. such a man is at the mercy of circumstances, as the clouds are driven by the wind.

ENLARGED SERIES. NO. 12.-VOL FOR 1841.

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