to the destiny to which, he must have known, the general voice of Europe had sentenced him, he would at least have obtained the credit of possessing a strength of mind superior to his fortune. Letters on the Importance of en- These are the sentiments of a brave Hau. Strength of mind is more frequently shewn in an honourable light, by submission to adversity, than by re-growth of corn and wool, on British bellion against it, or by recourse to such miserable subterfuges for a momentary delusion of those who after ali must soon know the truth. Lieut. B.'s delineation of Napoleon's character contains some good points. It is becoming too, as expressing the feelings of a British sailor: and it is valuable, as being drawn from the life, lands, by British farmers: for, we know In forming an estimate of his character I cannot represent him to myself as a truly brave mau. For I am not willing to assign this meed of praise exclusively to him who is not afraid of meeting death in a field of battle. The pill, though perhaps Ditter, is there so splendidly gilt, that a man is cheated out of half his fear and nausea. It is not my wish (because in his present situation it would be ungenerous, and the opinion itself be probably unWe do not deny that the farmers founded) to detract from the merit of Buo-it;" but the causes of this are not have lately had 66 a sad time of Baparte as a victorious soldar and general. Yet there is surely an equal perfection of so easily traced to one source, as many fortitude in suffering as well as in acting. of thein suppose; and the present But when my mind reverts to the wreck of writer feels the pressure, without adthat army which he deserted amid the verting sufficiently to the gradual acsands of Egypt-to the wreck of that ar- cumulation of alterations, which has ny which he left struggling and perish- been witnessed in the progress of the ing in the torrent of the Beresina-to the last twenty years. Neither do we, us wreck of that army which he forsook after the defeat of Leipsic,-and, above all, to studied to combine the interest of the yet, discover that any farmer has the wreck of that army (which, with an unprecedented ardour of attachment, had manufacturing classes with that of his received him with open arms on his return own class. That we are not absolutely from Elba, and evinced their sincerity driven to the necessity of injuring one amid the tremendous conflict of Waterloo) | part of our population, in order to supnow stationed behind the Loire, pro-port the other, we are well convinced; scribed on his account by their country and the world-I cannot call him a brave man, whose personal safety has in all these instances been shown to be his first consideration. The glory of the leader of brave men ought to have been that, in defeat, he perished with them. The documents added, have appeared in the newspapers: the conclusion is new. “I; BONE, quo virtus tua te vocat,- but parties have been formed, and have We fear, that these Letters will prin- [412 this to to any distinct case. We The Naval Monitor: containing many useful Hints for the Private and Pubot fit out their youth properly. The ion by those to whom it belongs. remark is well deserving of considéra lic Conduct of the Young Gentlemen, in, Lon. The dispositions of young men are so different their opportunities,and powers of acquiring knowledge, are so dissimiTHIS tract should have been pub-fficers under whom they serve, are so lar-the temper and abilities of the lished more than twenty years ago, when the British navy was about to be increased, and thousands might have been the better for it. At present, we do not wish to see the navy increased, nor that its utility should be extensively put to the test. It is the work of an observant mind; of a man who has, as we conjecture, worked his way in his profession, and who remembers perfectly well, what his own feelings were, on for-part that closely has affected, and still mer occasions; continues to affect, the Public. The writer treats on most branches of duty as they fall to the lot of young gentlemen, in the service. There are few particulars in which his judgment and advice does not command obedience by its propriety and accuracy. We heartily concur in his opinion that lads should be better grounded than they usually are, or lately could have been, in previous principles, before they went to sea : we have known a youth of eleven years of age, whose turn was come for service, quit school to enter on a first rate what a hazard for both soul and body! These things have, however, been considered, as far as consideration has been in the power of the Admiralty, or of Officers:—the exigencies of the service have controuled the rest. | various, that, after all, the determination must be left to existing circumstances But, this we may be allowed to say, that we do not recollect a system of better practical rules, than this before us, nor a work more proper to be put into the hands of those to whom it is addressed. Waiving all further reference to pri vate concerns, we shall now extract a confines them to land, could be ignorant Only those persons whose avocations that the large American vessels, though called Frigates, were no more Frigates, than they were Cock-boats, except in name. They were a species of vessels well adapted for the American coast; and better still to delude land-lubbers in Europe. The term deceived many; but, that they were persons labouring under a predisposition to be deceived, is sufficiently evident from the event. The Americans had a good right to defend their coast as they thought proper; and were perfectly justifiable in adopting whatever description or rauk, of ship they deemed best for that purpose. . Frigates and what they called Frigates, A comparison between what we called sets this matter in a clear light. The writer addresses parents and guardians, who, design this profession sketch of a British Frigate, of the Tonnage, Let me first gresent to my readers a for their children-those young gentle-scantling, complenient, &c. &c. of H. M. men who are about to embrace it-heate Ship Macedonian, by which we shall treats on obedieuce-attention to duty- be able to give an idea of both the Guervolunteering-learning the profession-riere and Java; although the Macedonian and on conduct to superiors, inferiors, and equals, &c. &c. It is very difficult to discover the real circumstances of parents, and the real disposition of children: of course, to comprehend the real causes why lads are disposed of in this service. This difficulty renders counsel so very general, that it becomes scarcely applicable was the largest of the trio. The tonnage 504 lb. quarter deck, 4481b. forecastle 100lb. Leing a total of 10421b. which, halved, gives 521lb. being with a little variation, the whole weight of metal thrown at a broadside by all the three of our frigates. The whole complement of officers, seamen, marines, and boys, of a 38 gun frigate | at the time ours was captured, amounted to 294 souls; of whom 74 were officers and petty officers; 54 marines (officers included); 20 boys, and 146 seanien; divided between the classes of Able, Ordinary, and Landsmen. The complement has since been increased to $15 souls. On the other hand, the United States American frigate, is upwards of 1400 tous; | -about 250 lons larger than the Macedonian her scantling, that of the largest of our 74's Her number of guns, on the 30, 24lb. long guns; 2, 24lb. long guns ; Fore Castle, The whole weight of shot thrown at a broadside, 283lb. more than that thrown by either of our Frigates, making a superiority of more than one half our own force. Of the Crews of the American frigates, I can give no regular complement: but it is a well-known fact that the United States had 450 men on board, before the action with the Macedonian. It is here, that I to be, and are particularly avoided, and manning a few ships with all prime seamen would give rise to great jealousies and discontent. In the next place, our men of war are always hurried to sea as soon as pos sible, after being manned. No time is allowed to get the ship in the least fighting order. So little is this regarded as necessary, that a thought is seldom or ever given to it, until the ship is fairly at sea ;— and then, if the weather happen to be bad, it entirely precludes all possibility of attending to the guns. Even if the weather prove favorable, it will take a fortuight, nay, I may say a month, before they cau be even in tolerable fighting order. On the other hand, the Americans take special care not to proceed to sea until their ships are in perfect order, until the training of the men to the guns has been particularly attended to, and in fact, until she can be said to be fit to cope with any enemy. This calculation is intelligible to the meanest capacity. It was neither want of skill, or of courage, in our seamen or officers, that threw the chances in favour of the Americans: it was, principally the circumstance that " more than half their crews had served in the British navy;" a considerable portion were deserters from British vessels; and their ships were much more powerful. many years; and that when next called to answer the purposes of its country the British navy will be found in perfect order to carry a press of sail, and to execute orders to perfect satisfaction. The recommendations of this officer for the establishment of Naval Schools, with other very useful and important improvements, are likely to be attended to, during the present happy period of peace. We trust, that nothing will must point out the superiority of the Ameri-happen to impede their progress, for cans over British Men of War; and a very simple and easy matter I find it: for they have but few ships to man, and very great numbers to pick and choose from. The mauning of the vessels is entirely left to the commander, who will be careful to take and to refuse whom he pleases. They are not tied to numbers;-nor are they confined to ratings. Consequently, it is natural to infer, they have the primest men that are to be found, and more than half of them have served in the British Navy. Look to the other side of the question, and you will find, that a Captain of a British Man of War, must take those who are sent to him, and those only; and also that the good and bad are sent together, according to the preceding schedule. Indeed, in such a navy as ours, it is almost impossible it cau be otherwise. Precedents, too, ought *. As peace has happily taken place, we could have been glad if this Officer (or some other) had suggesaed a feasible and easy plan for disposing of those young gentlemen, who now are neither one thing nor the other; who have, as it were, forsaken the land, yet have never seen sea service. Where shall their country find them at an hour's warning? and especially those invaluable subjects who have shewn talents, intellect, and bravery. L'Afrique, ou Histoire, &c. Africa; of the Zahara, or Great Desert, their to theft and pillage, forms a striking mode of living, &c. Their disposition part of this character. This volume closes with an account of the Gum Senegal, an article of well known value among The last volume is devoted particularly to a description of the nations which inhabit the banks of the rivers Senegal and Gambia, and the countries between them; their government, policy, laws, then the great source of their public revenues, the Slave Trade. M. V.,extends his researches to their dwellings, arts, agriculture, and other civil labours, and diversions. THE intention of our Government to execute, if possible, the plan, in attempting which the late Mr. Parke lost his life, gives importance to every work referring to Africa, whether it be pub lished by any of our countrymen, or by foreigners. In truth, it may so hap-imposts, wars, pillage, and what was pen, that what one person, extremely well acquainted with a part of the country, has not seen, or has not regarded, shall be seen, and strongly attended to, even under less favourable circumstances by another. For this reason we occasionally attach importance to the reports of foreigners: not as if we suspected our own writers, but because a multitude of witnesses contributes to elicit truth; and because, in such undertakings as that now proposed, intelligence from all quarters should be collected and studied. The author had various opportunities of becoming acquainted with Africa and its inhabitants, while France had establishments on that Continent. During two years of residence in Senegal, he acquired the Walof language; and he made, by order of his superiors, several excursions into the interior of the country. In the first volume the author sketches the history and character of the European establishments from Cape Bojador to the Gambia, Cape Blanco, &c. to Fort James. He describes a project for settling a free and extensive colony on the coast of Africa, and demonstrates the possibility of crossing this vast continent from coast to coast. He gives an entertaining account of the Natural History of the country, and adds a vocabulary of the Walof language, which he considers as being extensively spoken among the sovereigns and great men of several adjacent countries; and by the greater part of their people. It is also understood by the Moors. The second volume treats particularly concerning the Moors; the inhabitants The work is illustrated by more than forty plates, and the author proposes, if encouraged by the (French) public, to extend his description successively to all the neighbouring nations, whether situated along the coast, or more remotely in the country, the whole to be collected from those who have been eyewitnesses of what they relate. possible, after it His work was published as soon as the Treaty of Paris restored Senegal to was known that France. Whether this was accidental, or by design, we do not know, but we conjecture that it was not accidental. The revival of the trade to Senegal, will require great efforts on the part of the French people, and among these, one pointed out by absolute necessity, is the raising a disposition for foreign adventure among that numerous body of inalcontents who cannot turn their hands to any thing useful at home. swer that purpose, this work seems to be extremely well designed; and certainly were it well completed, nothing could be more beneficial to France. Qur notice, however, has rather been at tracted to it, from the scheme of the writer for penetrating inland, which he affirms is feasible, and of which he alinost guarantees success. To an We have not seen this work ourselves, but are obliged for this account of it, to a foreign pen. The Moral Tendencies of Knowledge: a Lecture delivered before the City Philosophical Society, Dorset Street, and the Christian Philological Society, Spitalfields. By T. Williams. 8vo. price 2s. Williams and Son. 1815. There is much good sense in this Lecture. Only those can adequately judge on this subject who have had the painful mortification of witnessing the embarrassments of ignorance, where better things were expected or those who have seen instances of gradual progress in vice, because knowledge had not exerted a salutary and preservative influence. There is no condition more dangerous than that of a vacant mind; the delusions which infect mankind would be reduced to a very few, comparatively speaking, if those on whom they have been practised had possessed a laudable portion of knowledge. We protest against ignorance, as the degradation of our species. Some of the advantages of knowledge we shall state in the writer's own words. Knowledge, and especially Literature, is adapted to improve and exalt human nature, even when the manners have been the most forbidding. What would Johnson have been without literature? Lusensible to the charms of polite society, and a rebel against its rules; yet literature made him a companion for princes, whenever he would condescend to associate with them. Who can tell how much he is indebted to the love of letters for the improvement of his own character? And however ready the ladies may be to play their wit on a bookish man, they will find, upon reflection, that they owe much of their domestic comfort to this principle. Those who have no taste for mental improvement, are seldom much at home; or if they be, smoking, tippling, and sleeping, are generally their favourite enjoyments. But why do they not converse? They must feed the hopper before they can give you meal. If there be no water in the well, it is vain to pump. A man may chatter indeed without reading, and so may a magpie or a monkey; but a man must read much to converse well. Knowledge also refines the taste. All men think, but this teaches them to think justly. They are not pleased without cause, nor disgusted without reason. and this eloquence is now become almost necessary, when we have meetings of one: kind or other in every parish, in every ward, almost in every street; and when we meet for business, whether that of a public body, or a private society, it is necessary that there should be speakers as well as hearers; and though it is ridiculous on those occasions to ape the Orator or the Actor, it is desirable that all who do speak, should speak good: sense, intelligibly, and to the purpose.. Science is friendly to industry, more especially as it is the foundation of our arts: and manufactures. Without science, our manufactures would be in a very low and defective state. It is from the discoveries in chemistry, and the improvement in mechanics, that agriculture and manufactures have attained to their present state of eminence; and it is by these means that our poor find employment. It is true, that every now and then mechanical improvements, by superseding the use of manual labour, throw a number of hands out of work; but then the other arts come in to their aid, and, by: cles of manufacture, balance the account: suggesting new improvements, and new artiand I am well persuaded, that if half the money spent in Europe upon the arts of destruction, were devoted to the cultivation of barren districts of earth-to the improvement of inanufactures, and the extension of employment, and the whole earth be covercommerce, every human being might find ed with fertility, industry, and happiness. poor unlettered gentleman is pining for want of Knowledge is Society; and while the company, the literary man has the best of society in his library: and surely he has no reason to complain of solitude, who can breakfast with Cicero, dine with Bacon, drink tea with Mr. Locke, and sup with Sir. Isaac Newton. Knowledge (like all God's creatures) has the power of increase; and it propagates, like fire-by contact. It is criminal to be intimate with a man of science, and not to learn from him. It is more criminal to acquire knowledge, and refuse to communicate. Lastly. Knowledge, and particularly Literature, is necessary to the support and preservation of Religion. I am aware that in the first age of Christianity, the lamp of knowledge was kindled by a light from Hea ven; and that the sacred Scriptures were given by divine inspiration. But the age of miracles was not of long duration; at least,, the gift of tongues remained but a short time with the church; and though it was useful, and apparently necessary to the propagation of the gospel among barbarous nations, I am Knowledge is essential to popular elo-not aware that it was employed in any inquence: I mean in an enlightened country; stance, either in the dictation of the ScripLat. Pan. N. S. III-No, 15,-Dec, 1815, |
