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MEN-OF-WAR AGAIN.-The complement to be borne by the Queen, 110, is fixed to be 900. Of these there are to be 13 boys of the first class, and 18 of the second. She is to bear only one clerk, being a reduction of one. The Illustrious, 72, has had her complement of men increased to 628. She is to receive on board 140 supernumeraries, for distribution among the ships on the station to which she is destined, and is to be got ready for sea with all despatch.-Hants. Tel. ANTWERP.-Oct. 20.-The Belgium steamer British Queen, is hauled into dock for the winter, and will make her first experimental voyage from this port to New York, in the month of March, 1842.-Shipping Gazette.

NEW BOOKS.

WHAT TO OBSERVE, or the Traveller's Remembrancer.-By J. R. Jackson, Secretary to the Royal Geographical Society, &c.—London, J. Madden,

1841.

What to observe! How much these three little words convey is amply told in the handy little work before us. It would not be possible to find in the whole range of useful works (and they are not a few) that have issued from the press within the last few years, or to select one that is calculated to be more generally useful in all branches of general knowledge, or one calculated to advance them, than the little unpretending volume before us entitled What to observe! How many valuable opportunities are lost of adding discovery to some branch of useful research, by not knowing "what to observe?" How many travellers and voyagers go forth every year from this country, some heedless, it may be, but many desirous of adding their tribute to enlarge the boundaries of some kind of knowledge, and that is not done from not knowing "what to observe." Indeed, we may ask how many are there not, who, with a little work like that before us, telling them "what to observe" on every subject that may fall in their way, would not add something to the stock of general knowledge from the mere satisfying reflection of having made themselves as useful as they could. Very few, we will venture to say, there are, who would not do so. "What to observe" then, we consider a work especially directed to our readers, than whom few have better opportunities of making good use of it.

The author has separated the branches of his subject into eleven divisions, these again branching into sections, and the whole rendered of the easiest possible reference by an index. We will annex one or two of these heads:

Division 1.-" Of a country considered in itself," includes geography, boundaries, aspect, and configuration, this latter including mountains, their names, arrangement and direction, height, form, and slope; also, plains. Section 2 of this division embraces hydrography, or the various waters of a country; and Section 3, its meteorology, or climate, temperature, and terrestrial magnetism. The next division is that of productions subdivided again into three sections, the next "Inhabitants," involving a vast multitude of points for inquiry, or shewing "what to observe." But we should go far beyond our limits were we to enumerate one half of the divisions into which," What to observe,” is classed. We must not omit, however, to add, that in the last Division No. 11, in the Sections of "Instruments," and "Operations," the observer is supplied with a vast deal of information relating to them, and to their use; combining not only directions, but many valuable practical hints of a most useful kind. In catering for our naval readers, we cordially recommend this little work to their atteution, most especially those going abroad, assuring them that they will find it a most useful companion, for we fully agree with the author in his quotation from La Croix, that "L'art d'observer est le seul moyen d'acquerir des connoissames utiles."

REMARKS ON HEAVING DOWN A SEVENTY-TWO GUN SHIP, shewing the strain to Le resisted, and in what manner the established allowance of stores may be ren-1 dered available, &c.-By Com. R. Harris, R.N.

Did our readers ever hear of " Papers connected with the duties of the corps of Royal Engineers"? It is an annual volume in quarto, the title of which speaks' for itself. Now, we have have often thought that the example of the engineer officers is well worth following by those of the Royal Navy. There are very many papers on subjects connected with their duties, which might be recorded and collected annually, to make quite as respectable a volume as the Royal En gineers produce. And of the kind of papers it might contain, the "Remarks" before us form a good sample. We might enumerate many more; such for instance as are found in this journal; but we throw out the hint, being satisfied that, if adopted, it would induce habits of close and correct observation among its supporters, and thereby promote individual, as well as general, good. The "Remarks" of Commander Harris commence with describing the various preparations for heaving down a ship, all of which are fully detailed; and these being intended for a line of battle ship, will form a good starting point for vessels of all sizes. These are followed by an introduction to the heaving down of the Melville which contains some highly useful practical remarks on the subject, and the whole is illustrated by diagrams, shewing the various arrangements that were made, and the position of the Melville and the auxiliary ships employed in the process.

A similar process that of heaving down the Medina is also described by Commander Harris which appears to have been done in a most seamanlike manner, and the whole is followed by some miscellaneous observations of a professional nature on setting and trimming sails, that ought to be looked into by every officer, as being one of the most important subjects in which he is concerned.

We highly commend the motive "an anxiety to enable others to profit by the experience "of these proceedings, and thereby to benefit a service" to, which the greatest part of his life has been devoted," which induced Commander Harris to commit his remarks to the press; and we shall take an opportunity hereafter to transfer some of them to our own pages. In the meantime they ought to be in the possession of every officer afloat, as a professional work, and placed immediately in all our naval libraries.

FORBES'S EAST INDIA AND COLONIAL GUIDE.-Houlston and Stoneham, London,

1811.

A small hand-book containing information for all parties contemplating a voyage to the East and West Indies, and one of useful reference which ought to be very generally circulated.

NEW CHARTS.

In a preceding page we have inserted an extract from the report of Capt. Vidal, RN., to the Hydrographer of the Admiralty, describing the mode which he adopted in pursuance of directions in performing the difficult and dangerous task of surveying the Gold Coast in H.M.S. Etna, in the year 1838. This is an important document, inasmuch as it forms a historical record of the construction of the charts now published as the results of that survey. The survey extended from Sherboro' Island to Cape St. Paul, an extent of 900 miles, and including as it does, a coast notorious for its unhealthiness, the greater credit is due to Capt. Vidal for the successful completion of such a task. It was not performed however without some sacrifice of life, for seventeen, we believe, fell in the course of the survey. But they have done a service to their country with their gallant leader, in laying open the resorts of slave dealers to the daring and persevering energies of our cruizers; who, with the assistance which these ENLARGED SERIES.-NO. 12.-VOL. FOR 1841. 5 T

charts afford will be at no loss to hunt these persecutors of the poor negro to their very homes. In every point of view, not only of a scientific, but of a useful philanthropic kind, we look on these charts as the most important that have appeared for a long time. We shall now proceed to enumerate them.

WESTERN COAST OF AFRICA;

Sheet 9.--Sherboro' Island to Cape Mesurada.
Sheet 10.-Cape Mesurada to Cape Palmas.
Sheet 11.-Cape Palmas to Grand Lahou.
Sheet 12.-Grand Lahou to Cape Three Points.
Sheet 13.-Cape Three Points to Banacoe.
Sheet 14.-Banacoe to C. St. Paul

Sheet 17.-Cape Formoso to Fernando Po.
Sheet 18.-Fernando Po to Cape Lopez.

The description which Capt. Vidal has already given of the above charts, is more complete than anything that we can add

PRESENTATIONS.

We understand that the officers employed under Commander Sheringham, KN.. in the survey of a part of the coast of England, have presented their esteemed leader with a handsome sword, on his recently attaining his Commander's rank. It is gratifying to record such marks of friendship, as highly honourable to all parties, and as a pleasing testimony of an officer's method of earrying on a service of great importance to the country, being alike agreeable to all employed in it.

A telescope has been presented by her Majesty's Government to Capt. Delor, of the French brig Arzac, of Rochelle, for rescuing three British seamen from the wreck of the Belvidera, of Yarmouth; and another to the chief mate of the New York ship Garrick, for rescuing the master and eight men of the brig Eugenia, of St. John, New Brunswick.

SURVEY.-We understand that Capt. Blackwood has just commissioned the Fly, 16, at Plymouth, for the purpose of surveying the north-eastern seas of

Australia.

METEORIC APPEARANCE.-The following singular phenomenon appeared on the morning of the birth of the Prince of Wales.

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Early in the morning, of that auspicious day which gave birth to an heir to the crown of these realms, while it was yet "pitchy dark, the heavens suddenly became illuminated, and increased in brilliancy until the hills around were seen as clearly as at noon day; and the men working in the dock at Belfast, were dazzled and astonished at the light.

"This extraordinary phenomenon lasted about a minute, when the light gradually disappeared, and all was dark as before. There was no flash or corruscation accompanying this singular appearance-the light gradually increased to its greatest intensity, and then as gradually diminished, nor was there any noise." The foregoing is from a naval officer, who witnessed what he has described. Our readers will remember, that about the period mentioned, (the 9th of November,) the earth is in that part of her orbit, when these appearances from previous observation are expected.

THE OLDEST NAVY LIST.-The following is the title of the oldest list of officers of the Royal Navy, preserved in the Admiralty. "Admiralty Office, July 1st,

1700. A LIST of the Names of such Lieutenants who served in his Majesty's fleet, during the late war. One hundred whereof will from time to time be entitled to Half-Pay, during their being out of employment a-shoar, according to their Seniorities, and his Majesty's establishment in that behalf. Dated the 18th of April, 1700."

In this curious ancient record the list is first given, then the dates of thei commissions, followed by a column entitled "Which of them are now en ploy'd and how," wherein it appears that the lieutenants in those days were 1.0 less employed in the Merchant Service than now. Numerous entries of thi kind appear. "Had leave to go Master of a Merchant Ship."-"Was said to be gone Commander of a Merchant Ship to Newfoundland, in July 99, when enquired after to be employed."-Another entry says, "Said to be gone to Sca in the Merchant Service when a commission was designed him in August, 99. Lieutenants were then, it would also appear, employed as Midshipmen. We find several as so stated,-James Wilson, a lieutenant of 1694, appears in S list of 1700, as 66 Midshipman extra in the Arundel." Walter Pigot, of 1694 is also "Midshipman extra in the Romuey," a mode of serving which would not be very gratifying to the lieutenants of the present day.

NAUTICAL NOTICE.-YORK LEDGE.-A cast-iron beacon has been placed or this dangerous ledge, after much labour and difficulty, which will resist all the fury of the elements, and be of much service to eastern coasters. This ledge is almost always covered with water, and to such a depth that it is indicated by breakers only at low water or in severe storms. We learn from the Ports mouth Journal that the workmen have only been able to land and work on the rocks in good weather and low tides, and then were not able to work more than from ten to eighteen minutes, before the tide would drive them off. During this time, even, they were often obliged to work up to their middle in water. with the sea breaking over them. This beacon is composed of six cast-iro hollow pillars, each 22 feet long, 12 inches diameter at the lower end, on which. is cast a flance; they are 10 inches in diameter at the top, and are cast in two parts, which are connected by faucet joints. These pillars or columns are disposed at the base in a hexagonal form, and inclined inwardly so as to meet and rest against each other at the top, thus forming a hexagonal pyramid. Within the base thus formed by the feet of the columns, and secured to the rock, is an entire centre plate, with sockets, from which radiate six diagonal braces, which are secured in the sockets of the centre plate by hook joints and spear bolts The tops of the main pillars where they meet, rest against an iron centre block which gives additional solidity and strength to this part of the structure; over the apex thus formed by the meeting of the columns and centre block, enclosing the whole, is an iron tubular cap which rises eight feet above the tops of the pillars, and rests on an iron ring previously placed around them. The upper end of this cylindrical cap is surmounted with an iron ball three and a half feet in diameter, cast in ribs which are enclosed in an iron ring, with the inscription "York Ledge, 1840." The whole structure is well keyed and wedged together. The whole of the exterior is painted black, except the ribs of the ball, which are alternately coloured red and black.

The following are the bearings of various objects from the beacon, viz.-Boon Island light E. & N., about seven miles; Whales Back light, W.b.S. S six miles; White Island (shs) light, S.b. W. W. two miles; York Nubble. N.b.E. three miles; York Harbour N.W.b.N. N. three miles; Western Sister W.S.W. five miles; east point of Duck Island (Isle of Shoals,) S. § W. seven miles.

N.B-South-west, about two miles from the beacon, lies a shoal, called "the Triangles," which breaks in a heavy ground swell, and has not more than four fathoms at spring tides.

P.S.-Vessels falling in with York Ledge in foggy weather, may, by sending their boats, read "York Lodge, 1840," as described, and shape their course accordingly.-Salem (U.S.) Register.-From Shipping Gazette.

PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.

(From the Naval and Military Gazette.)

Admiralty, Oct. 26th, 1841.-With reference to the Gazette Extraordinary of the 8th inst., and to the Gazette of the 15th inst., the following additional naval promotion of officers, who served with the army in taking the heights at Canton, from the 23d to the 30th of May, has taken place:

Lieutenants to be Commanders.

C, C. Dawkins and W. C. Metcalfe.

Mates to be Lieutenants.

Lord A. W. Beauclerk, G. Walker, W. R. Rolland, A. C. C. Denny, and W. H.

PROMOTIONS.

Symons.

CAPTAIN-C. G. E. Napier, (1838) COMMANDERS-C. J. Jay, of the Admiralty Semaphore, and to continue his former duty.

LIEUTENANTS-J. M. N. Boyd, R. T. Bedford, W. R Smith, A. C. Murray. MASTER-J. F. Rees.

SURGEON-W. F. Carter.

APPOINTMENTS.

CAPTAINS-T. Ogle (1838) to South ampton-J. Kingcombe (1838) to Belleisle.

COMMANDERS-G. K. Wilson (1840) Cambridge-J. Scott (1815) to Alfred B. M. Festing, KH. (1825) to ApolloJ. B. Woodthorpe (1838) to Alfred.

LIEUTENANTS-C. H. Lapidge (1824) to Ferrel-J. Saunderson (1815) to Malabar-G. Kenyon (1837) to Madagascar -H. Wellington (1834) to be flag-lieutenant to Sir E. Owen--E. S. Southeby (1835), J. H. Bridges (1838), W. H. Molyneaux (1820), T. Ellis to AlfredJ. Wildey (1817) to Semaphore station, Portsdown hill, v. J. Long (1806) to Rendezvous, Douglas, Isle of Man-D. Elliot (1839), and H. Bernard (1841), to Syren-G. Wodehouse (1838) to Madagascar-Hon. C. St. Clair to Cambridge -J. B. Duffield (1824) to North StarJ. Moore (1841) supernumerary, M. S. Kirkes (1840) additional, R. A. Oliver (1838), and G. G. Wellesley (1838) to Queen-J. Nepean (1836) to the Peninsular Mail Agency-G. L. Wolley (1820) to Astrea G. Snell to Hope-C. W. G. Griffin (1814) to Tyrian-T. Creser to Star packet-R. T. Bedford (1841) to Vanguard-G. S. Parsons (1802) to be Admiralty Agent of one of the Halifax packets-J. M. N. Boyd (act) to Pantaloon.

MASTERS-G. Grant to Vindictive-P. Loney (1841) and T. Hancorn (1841) to Syren-G. J. Hodges, supernumerary) to St Vincent-G. Wright (1838) acting to Belleisle.

MATES-M. T. Molesworthy (1840), C. B. Strong (1839), J. C. Snell (1834), and E. F. Clarke (1835) to Queen-A. Doyle to Hazard-H. D. Blanckley (1829) B. G Rowles, and A. C. Kerr to Heroine-Lord C. W. Butler (1840) to Aigle-T. Gaussen (1838) and J. W. Dorville (1839) to Isis-C. J. Hotfmeister (1834) to Caledonia-J. W. Probert (1835) to Spartan-R. L. Curtis, Hon. F. A. Foley, and Lethbridge to Cambrian-E. A Blake to Excellent-J E. Bridges to Madagascar-R. W. Courtennay (1839) to Malabar-C. Bromley (1841) to Belvidere-W. G. Dean (1836) to St. Vincent-A. M'Naghten (1837) and - Isaacson to Formidable-W. H. Stewart (1841) and J. Boyce to Illus

trious.

SECOND-MASTERS-J. Hughes to Pantaloon-H. Norway to Malabar—J. M. O'Brian to Apollo-J. McClorne to Thalia-J. Mathews to Queen--J. W. R. Jenkins to Sprightly packet.

SURGEONS G. A. Munro (1838) to Pique-Dr. King, Deputy-Inspector to Winchester-T. W. M'Donald (1830) to Belleisle.

MASTERS-ASSISTANTS-J. Pollard to Belvidera-J. R. Godden to HazardC. C. Mitchell to Vindictive.

MIDSHIPMEN-C. G. Rowley to Dido -Hon. F. Walpole to Vernon-H. F. McKellop to Vindictive-J. Corbet to St. Vincent-H. G. Simpson to Formidable-W. H. Phipps to MadagascarC. Vesey to Belvidera.

VOLUNTEERS 1st Class-G. M. Purvis to Howe-W. Lowry to Queen-C. Moore to Implacable-A. M. Cochrane to Thalia-J. Rowley to Dido-F. Peel to Queen--G. A. Pidcock to Illustrious -J. Leader to Madagascar-J. Noble to Talbot-J. Dutchinson to CyclopsC. J, Stockdale to Belvidere-R. B. Atkinson to North Star.

PURSERS T. D. Gulliver (1831) to Apollo--W. L. Freeman (1833) to Alfred R. M. Jeffrey (1138) to Aigle-A. l'enprase (1812) to Belleisle.

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