that there is a good site for royal docks in Langstone Harbour, into which the longest ship that can be built can be taken at dead lowwater spring-tides, there being twenty-six or twenty-eight feet water. "Now, I believe the present Board of Admiralty is composed of men who would try to carry out all the improvements and arrangements of the late Board, of which Sir John Pakington was the head. He was indefatigable in all his exertions to improve everything; and surely his Grace the Duke of Somerset will not be behindhand in what will tend so much to benefit our country? Beg him to send down competent men to survey and report, and I am sure the people of England would not begrudge the £1,500,000 such magnificent docks would cost.

"It is only through the medium of the press that we can hope for changes that are absolutely essential, I have not the honour of knowing any of the present Board of Admiralty, and regret much that my feeble voice cannot be heard; but there are those who would be listened to, and these are the men who should take it in hand.

་

"I must not. however, trespass more on your time, I only hope 'A. B.' will press the matter on, and that the Admiralty Board will take the hint that has been so well thrown out by him; for it is really a disgrace to see foreigners looking on and laughing at our ships, sticking half in and half out."

The Club agreed generally in the soundness of Albert's observation, indeed there were those among them who well remembered the building yard at Bursledon, where many a line-of-battle ship had been born in the last great war.

The

Rodmond said, he had received an account of the United States Arctic Expedition that he thought would interest the Club. letter states,

"After passing the Arctic circle, on Saturday, August 4th, the sun did not set upon the expedition. This was the first night in which they had entire sunlight. The sky being cloudless, the sun was seen the entire night, first to pass slowly in a circle to the northward, and then eastward, till it began to rise again. The expedition was becalmed several days off Svorte Hook, but at length reached a point within sight of the low islands beneath Sandersons Hope, a great landmark for arctic navigators. At this time a scene of sublimity was witnessed. The coast for miles on either hand to the North and south, was plainly visible. Cliffs, high or low land, mountains and inlets, were seen in the distance, while around the vessel floated thousands of icebergs. In the intervals between the heavy reports and roar of falling or turning icebergs, the noise of the surf or sea beating against each of the many bergs was distinctly heard, sounding as a distant Niagara or a near small waterfall, so continuous was the noise. The greater part of the time the crushing and crumbling of the bergs in turning over and coming in collision with each other, or of detached pieces falling, or of a glacier parting from its mer de glace, and rolling down a thousand feet into the sea, kept up a terrific cannonade.

The stay of the expedition at Proven was quite pleasant. The cargo was all broke out and removed in boats to the shore, whence it was restowed on board. The ship's company were assisted by forty or fifty Esquimaux. They worked hard all day, and gave their nights to jollity, attending balls, parties, and feasts, given in their honour by the natives. The Danish officials rendered Dr. Hayes and his officers every service in their power, and the usual courtesies passed between them. Numerous presents were made to the Danes of delicacies for their table, in return for which they sent fur garments, which were of better quality and make than any that could be bought. Every other night a ball was given, to which the whole ship's company were invited. A promiscuous company assembled at these balls, composed as it was of all the human beings in the vicinity who were able to dance or wished to look on. In the same set, at one time, were Messrs. Inkermann, Hansen, Hayes, Sontag, Carruthers, all the crew of the expedition, and male and female Esquimaux, perhaps twenty in number; while others, in such numbers as to uncomfortably crowd the room, were standing around laughing and shouting in high glee. The ball-room was the carpenter's shop, decorated with the flags of the vessel, lighted at midnight with candles, for though light outside, the flags covering the little windows made the room dark. In an adjacent room was a table, on which there was a variety of drinks, and a huge wooden bowl of punch, made of three kinds of wine, brandy and rum, with lemons and sugar.

Mr. Sontag, with his assistants, was engaged most of the time, whlle at Proven, in making a topographical survey of the harbour, while Dr. Longshaw was employed in geological and botanical labours. Commander Hayes was busy all the time in a general supervision of affairs. At twelve o'clock in the evening of the first day in Proven, Dr. Longshaw ascended to the top of a high hill for the observation of the sun. It did not dip below the horizon in the least, but moved slowly northward, till at length it began to ascend, shining brilliantly the while. At Proven Dr. Hayes procured forty dogs and a large supply of furs, and the expedition sailed for Upernavik on Saturday, August 3rd.

Dr. Hayes, writing at Upernavik, August 14th, says: "It is impossible for me to predict anything with respect to the prospects before us. The season has been backward, but the weather has been very mild during the past ten days, and the recent southerly gales have doubtless broken the ice. The wind now blows fresh from the N.E., and if there is much ice before us it will be driven to the S.W. We shall leave here to-morrow, and attempt at once the Melville Bay Passage, and shall hope to make Smith Strait not later than the 1st of September. If successful in this endeavour, we shall have abundant time to secure a convenient harbour on the coast of Grinnell Land. You are already aware that I anticipate (from observations made by myself upon this coast in 1854) reaching Cape Frazer, lat. 70° 42', where I propose spending the winter. A degree lower, however, will place one within practicable reach of my proposed field of

exploration. If the condition of the ice will permit, I will immediately after a winter harbour has been selected-carry forward the boat which I intend using for next summer's labours, and some provisions, as far North as possible, and then leave them, secured against the bears, and return to the schooner after the winter has firmly set the ice. Early next spring, we shall push forward advance depots, and should we find either ice or water, we shall endeavour to accomplish with boats or sledges, or with both, the chief object of the voyage before the close of the summer. If this fortune awaits us, we shall then return home without unnecessary delay. I do not, however, an ticipate this result, but I expect that we shall be detained two winters. I shall endeavour by every means to avoid a third year's absence. We carry with us, however, food and fuel for that period, and in the event of our being so long detained I do not fear adverse results. With the fresh supplies we have on board I believe we can resist the scurvy."

These remarks were scarcely read when the Chairman announced that the proclamation of the United States President, Mr. Lincoln, had just been placed in his hands; which, as an important historical document, should be preserved by the Club. It runs as follows:

“Whereas, the laws of the United States have been for some time past, and now are, opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the Marshals by law; now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, in virtue of the power in me vested by the constitution and laws, have thought fit to call forth, and hereby do call forth, the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of seventy-five thousand, in order to suppress said combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed. The details for this object will be immediately communicated to the State authorities. through the War Department. I appeal to all loyal citizens to favour, facilitate, and aid this effort to maintain the honour, the integrity, and the existence of our national Union and the perpetuity of popular government, and to redress wrongs already long enough endured. I deem it proper to say that the first service assigned to the forces hereby called forth will probably be to repossess the forts, places, and property which have been seized from the Union; and in every event the utmost care will be observed, consistently with the objects aforesaid, to avoid any destruction of, or interference with, property, or any disturbance of peaceful citizens in any part of the country; and I hereby command the persons composing the combinations aforesaid to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes within twenty days from this date. Deeming that the present condition of public affairs presents an extraordinary occasion, I do hereby, in virtue of the power in me vested by the constitution, convene both houses of Congress. The senators and representatives are therefore summoned to assemble at their respective chambers at twelve o'clock noon on Thursday, the 4th day of July

next, then and there to consider and determine such measures as, in their wisdom, the public safety and interest may seem to demand. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

"Done at the city of Washington this 15th day of April, in the year of our Lord 1861, and of the independence of the United States the 85th. "ABRAHAM LINCOLN."

Our limited space prevents us from inserting the discussion which followed.

CHARTS, &c., Published by the Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, to the end of April, 1861, and Sold by the Agent, J. D. Potter, 31, Poultry, and 11, King Street, Tower Hill.

Scotland, Western coast, Monach and Haskier Isle, Captain Otter, R.N., 1860, (2s. 6d.)

Ireland, East coast, Carlingford Lough entrance, R. Hoskyn, Esq., R.N., 1857, (3s. 6d.)

River St. Lawrence, above Quebec, sheets Nos. 1 to 13, Admiral Bayfield and Captain Orlebar, R.N., 1860, (each, 2s.)

River St. Lawrence, Quebec, Admiral Bayfield and Captain Orlebar, R.N., 1860, (2s.)

River St. Lawrence, Montreal, Admiral Bayfield and Captain Orlebar, R.N., 1860, (28.)

South America, West coast, Cupica and Cabita Bay, Captain Kellett, R.N., C.B., (1s. 6s.)

South America, West coast, Bayoneta and Pedro Gonzales Islands, Captain Kellett, R.N., C.B., (1s. 6d.)

Nova Scotia, Liscomb and Mary Joseph Harbours, Captain Bayfield, R.N., 1857, (3s.)

Nova Scotia, Sheet and Mushaboon Harbours and Spry Bay, Captain Bayfield, R.N., (3s.)

Mediterranean, Syria, Ruad Anchorage, Commander Mansell, R. N., 1860, (1s. 6d.)

Mediterranean, Syria, Tripoli Roadstead, Commander Mansell, R.N,, 1861, (18. 6d.)

Mediterranean, Archipelago; Grabusa Isle, Kutai, Rhithymno, and Lutro Ports, Captains Graves and Spratt, R.N., 1859, (2s.)

Africa, West coast, Lagos River, Lieutenant J. W. Glover, R.N., 1859, (2s. 6d.)

East Indies, Banka Strait to Singapore, 1861, various, (2s. 6d.)

Australia, East coast, Port Denison, J. W. Smith, Esq., R.N., 1860, (1s. 6d.)

Sailing Directions for Crete or Candia Island, Captain Spratt, R.N., C.B., 1861, (ls.)

China Pilot, 3rd edition, Edited by J. W. King, Esq., R.N., 1861, (5s.) Admiralty, 22nd April, 1861.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

The remainder of M. de la Tour's Report is unavoidably reserved for our

next.

Several books will be also then considered.

THE

NAUTICAL MAGAZINE

AND

Naval Chronicle.

JUNE, 1861.

REPORT ON THE FRENCH IMPERIAL NAVY,-By M. de la Tour, of the Corps Legislatif of France.

It would be most desirable to banish from this our civilized world the pest of war and that expensive evil of large armaments, for it is a melancholy prospect to see those who consider themselves reasonable beings expending both their treasure and their blood. What barbarous folly it does seem to make over to the effects of instruments of destruction, improved as they are now to perfection, a crowd of beings who do not dislike each other and who do not desire a premature removal from this world. We may celebrate the glory of battles and the valour of heroes; but strife between Christian nations, what is it but fratricide and revolting to every honest heart when it has no other object than ambition in view, forced to the field by the pride of confidence.

Philanthropists and financiers have abundant reasons for enlarging on this peaceful theme. Here they are in accordance with all social and Christian principles. But, alas, if from the world of notions we pass to one of facts, what do we see? The constant necessity for man to defend himself against his fellow man! Nothing is so scanty as brotherly love in the human heart. Every one is obliged to provide for his personal safety,-a more important point necessarily among nations than among individuals;-for an improvident weakness would not long remain free from attack. And again, the more sudden the attack may come, the more necessary it is to be prepared for it. In these days steam and electricity admit of such formidable

NO. 6.-VOL. XXX.

20