have once lost even this world's esteem. And what protection is there in many cases but what is afforded by the precarious and uncertain law of battle: itself avowedly an evil, rendered necessary by the evil passions of the human breast, that too often leave us nothing but a choice of evils. I here close the subject. I have proposed the best remedy in my power. it was not very well timed, I allow, for times of revolutionary tendency are not well adapted for the advancement of morality, but it leaves the field just as open as it was before, to the exertion of abler hands. As to your two correspondents, I can only add that the sentiments they express will ensure for them the respect of all well-thinking men, even of those who may lament that the honest views and wishes contained in the writings here replied to, cannot, in the present state of society, be carried into practical effect. Without again alluding to the writers above spoken of, for it would not be applicable, I may mention, en passant, that to place any particular words or sentences of a modern essay in opposition to scriptural quotations, is not a fair way of judging of its merit; the entire must be looked at, as it is only by trying the object and tendency of the first by the spirit of the second, that justice can be done. * I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, J. M. *It was our intention to have offered a few observations upon this subject, so sensibly and temperately handled by our several contributors; but J. M., to whose opinions, and for the reasons he assigns above, we decidedly lean, has saved us the trouble. We claim, however, the merit of impartiality, in having fairly submitted both sides of the question to judgment.-ED. Captain Cook and Sir Joseph Banks. MR. EDITOR,—I observe your correspondent D., in his "defence of Captain Cook," in your number for March last, is unacquainted with the true cause why Sir Joseph Banks did not accompany Captain Cook on his second voyage, which circumstance is readily accounted for, without reference to the unhandsome manner in which the great navigator is mentioned in the Report of the Geographical Society of Paris. My information is derived from an individual who accompanied Cook in his first and second voyages, and was otherwise intimately acquainted with his character in all its bearings. Sir Joseph Banks did fully intend to proceed on the second voyageso much so, that all his preparations were completed, and every thing he considered essential for the voyage was actually on board the Resolution. At Captain Cook's particular desire, a poop-cabin was built on the Resolution, which he intended to occupy himself, giving up his proper cabin for the accommodation of Sir Joseph Banks, and the other scientific men who were to have accompanied him. On the passage down the river Thames to the Nore, the Resolution was discovered to be so very crank, that it was deemed expedient to take the poop off her, thus obliging Captain Cook to resume his proper cabin. Sir Joseph Banks, in consequence of this arrangement, finding himself deprived of the expected accommodation, finally determined on not proceeding; and this was the sole cause of Sir Joseph Banks not accompanying Captain Cook on his second voyage. The Forsters did not join the Resolution till she had reached Plymouth Sound, and their accommodations were not so comfortable as would have been the case, had the poop remained on the ship-they were, however, the best that could be afforded, under the circumstances.-Their complaints against Captain Cook are principally in reference to the badness of their accommodation, and which it was out of his power to remedy. With reference to the ravages of disease, said to have been inflicted on the natives of the South Sea Islands by the crew of Captain Cook, there is now in the possession of one of the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital, an original order from Cook on this subject, strictly prohibiting every person diseased, or suspected to be so, from leaving the ship on any pretence whatever, or having any communication with the natives. This, though inefficient, clearly proves his great anxiety to prevent the spread of that devastating malady among the natives. Can a similar order be produced from Bougainville, or any other of the French Navigators, who visited those Islands? That his crew entertained a most affectionate regard for their commander may be gathered from the extreme anxiety they evinced at one period of their voyage, when he was seriously ill; their first and constant query at the relief of each watch was after the health of their beloved commander, whom they always considered as their father and their friend: and finally, at his lamented death, so enraged and infuriated were they at the loss of their revered chief, that it was with great difficulty they were restrained within the bounds of subordination, because they were restricted, very properly however, from proceeding on shore, and taking instant and ample revenge for their irreparable loss. I could add many anecdotes, from the very best authority, to prove his goodness of heart and benevolence of disposition; but as they were communicated in confidence, and without an idea of their being made public, and would moreover be unpleasing to an amiable and venerable female closely connected with him, if seen by her, I will therefore abstain. Indeed, I consider his character established on so firm a basis, as to stand in no need of my weak vindication; and I trust that it will not be affected by the unjust and illiberal remarks contained in the Report of the Geographical Society of Paris. I will, however, add to the character of our navigator, quoted from Captain King by your correspondent D. (and which, I think, conveys a just estimate of it in a few words,) one from the pen of Dr. Reinhold Forster, who certainly cannot be accused of partiality towards him. "If we consider his extreme abilities, both natural and acquired, the firmness and constancy of his mind, his truly paternal care for the crew entrusted to him, the amiable manner with which he knew how to gain the friendship of all the savage and uncultivated nations, and even his conduct towards his friends and acquaintance, we must acknowledge him to have been one of the greatest men of his age, and that reason justifies the tear which friendship pays to his memory. London, April 19, 1831. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Case of the Naval Architects. Q. MR. EDITOR, I shall be obliged if you will allow me to call the attention of the public, through the medium of your pages, to an act of extreme injustice committed against a certain class of the public servants by the present Naval Administration,-I mean those called Naval Architects; a short account of the cause of whose institution, and present state, I gave in your number for February last. Previous to Lord Melville's quitting the Admiralty, an order was issued to the several dock-yards, that all new appointments to situations below the rank of foremen of the yard, should be held by persons who were to receive day pay, leaving those, however, in the present possession of those situations, their yearly salary as heretofore: so far, right; any person receiving such an appointment knew under what circumstances it was to be held, and had the option of accepting or rejecting it. On the change in the Admiralty, this act, which was intended to be prospective, was made to include those who had for many years been in the receipt of an annual income, and was even extended to those students who had from their entrance into have once lost even this world's esteem. And what protection is there in many cases but what is afforded by the precarious and uncertain law of battle: itself avowedly an evil, rendered necessary by the evil passions of the human breast, that too often leave us nothing but a choice of evils. I here close the subject. I have proposed the best remedy in my power. it was not very well timed, I allow, for times of revolutionary tendency are not well adapted for the advancement of morality, but it leaves the field just as open as it was before, to the exertion of abler hands. As to your two correspondents, I can only add that the sentiments they express will ensure for them the respect of all well-thinking men, even of those who may lament that the honest views and wishes contained in the writings here replied to, cannot, in the present state of society, be carried into practical effect. Without again alluding to the writers above spoken of, for it would not be applicable, I may mention, en passant, that to place any particular words or sentences of a modern essay in opposition to scriptural quotations, is not a fair way of judging of its merit; the entire must be looked at, as it is only by trying the object and tendency of the first by the spirit of the second, that justice can be done. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, J. M. *It was our intention to have offered a few observations upon this subject, so sensibly and temperately handled by our several contributors; but J. M., to whose opinions, and for the reasons he assigns above, we decidedly lean, has saved us the trouble. We claim, however, the merit of impartiality, in having fairly submitted both sides of the question to judgment.-ED. Captain Cook and Sir Joseph Banks. MR. EDITOR, I observe your correspondent D., in his "defence of Captain Cook," in your number for March last, is unacquainted with the true cause why Sir Joseph Banks did not accompany Captain Cook on his second voyage, which circumstance is readily accounted for, without reference to the unhandsome manner in which the great navigator is mentioned in the Report of the Geographical Society of Paris. My information is derived from an individual who accompanied Cook in his first and second voyages, and was otherwise intimately acquainted with his character in all its bearings. Sir Joseph Banks did fully intend to proceed on the second voyageso much so, that all his preparations were completed, and every thing he considered essential for the voyage was actually on board the Resolution. At Captain Cook's particular desire, a poop-cabin was built on the Resolution, which he intended to occupy himself, giving up his proper cabin for the accommodation of Sir Joseph Banks, and the other scientific men who were to have accompanied him. On the passage down the river Thames to the Nore, the Resolution was discovered to be so very crank, that it was deemed expedient to take the poop off her, thus obliging Captain Cook to resume his proper cabin. Sir Joseph Banks, in consequence of this arrangement, finding himself deprived of the expected accommodation termined on not proceeding; and this was the sole ca Banks not accompanying Captain Cook on his second The Forsters did not join the Resolution till sh Sound, and their accommodations were not so been the case, had the poop remained on the best that could be afforded, under the civ against Captain Cook are principally in accommodation, and which it was out of 1 With reference to the ravages of disea 4 natives of the South Sea Islands by the crew of Captain Cook, there is now in the possession of one of the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital, an original order from Cook on this subject, strictly prohibiting every person diseased, or suspected to be so, from leaving the ship on any pretence whatever, or having any communication with the natives. This, though inefficient, clearly proves his great anxiety to prevent the spread of that devastating malady among the natives. Can a similar order be produced from Bougainville, or any other of the French Navigators, who visited those Islands? That his crew entertained a most affectionate regard for their commander may be gathered from the extreme anxiety they evinced at one period of their voyage, when he was seriously ill; their first and constant query at the relief of each watch was after the health of their beloved commander, whom they always considered as their father and their friend: and finally, at his lamented death, so enraged and infuriated were they at the loss of their revered chief, that it was with great difficulty they were restrained within the bounds of subordination, because they were restricted, very properly however, from proceeding on shore, and taking instant and ample revenge for their irreparable loss. I could add many anecdotes, from the very best authority, to prove his goodness of heart and benevolence of disposition; but as they were communicated in confidence, and without an idea of their being made public, and would moreover be unpleasing to an amiable and venerable female closely connected with him, if seen by her, I will therefore abstain. Indeed, I consider his character established on so firm a basis, as to stand in no need of my weak vindication; and I trust that it will not be affected by the unjust and illiberal remarks contained in the Report of the Geographical Society of Paris. I will, however, add to the character of our navigator, quoted from Captain King by your correspondent D. (and which, I think, conveys a just estimate of it in a few words,) one from the pen of Dr. Reinhold Forster, who certainly cannot be accused of partiality towards him. "If we consider his extreme abilities, both natural and acquired, the firmness and constancy of his mind, his truly paternal care for the crew entrusted to him, the amiable manner with which he knew how to gain the friendship of all the savage and uncultivated nations, and even his conduct towards his friends and acquaintance, we must acknowledge him to have been one of the greatest men of his age, and that reason justifies the tear which friendship pays to his memory. London, April 19, 1831. I I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Case of the Naval Architects. Q. the service been on salary, and which was an express condition of their entering it In a copy of the regulations established relative to the admission of students into the School of Naval Architecture, now before me, the sixth article says, "they will be allowed the following salaries in QUARTERLY payments;" this refers to the seven years of study. The seventh article says, "On the expiration of their apprenticeship the students will be eligible to all situations in the ship-building department of his Majesty's service, and in the event of there being no vacancy in any of his Majesty's yards, they shall be employed as supernumeraries in the yards until vacancies* do occur, and be allowed the yearly salaries recommended in the third report of the Commissioners for revising the civil affairs of the Navy. The next and last regulation relates to a bond for 500l., entered into by two sureties for each student, that he should not quit the service under a period of seventeen years, on pain of the forfeiture of the amount of this bond, in order that the expense of the education of those students might not be lost to the Government. Here then there is a mutual agreement between the two parties, and the willingness of one party to give up his part does not free him from his responsibility to fulfil the other; or in other words, the Admiralty, after cancelling this bond by which the students were tied to the service for a term of seventeen years, are not at liberty, in justice and equity, to shake off that tie by which they bound themselves to the students. Those regulations I speak of were formed by the King and Council, and upon the faith of them many persons entered the service, who never would have done so under the degrading terms now forced upon them. It may appear very fair to say, "If you are dissatisfied with the present conditions, we are willing to free you from your bond, and you may then apply for your dismissal, which will be granted to you,"-but after devoting nearly seventeen years of the best period of their lives (as some of those students who have not yet been appointed to situations have done), and having arrived at the age of thirty-three or thirty-four years, with families depending on them for support, to have to submit to any terms which the caprice of this or any other Board of Admiralty may dictate, or the alternative of seeking at that time of life new means of subsistence, is, to say the least of it, hard indeed. If the alteration of circumstances, since the formation of this establishment, has rendered the number of those admitted to it too great, and the Lords of the Admiralty are desirous of reducing the number of claimants for situations, a fair and honourable way is open to them to do so, by allowing those supernumerary students to retain their present incomes (which are guaranteed to them by the regulations I have quoted above) and endeavour to provide for themselves in private employment, under this condition, that if, when called on to accept of appointments in the dockyards, they are unwilling to do so, they shall forfeit all claim to a continuance of their salary. By this means there would be no increase to the public burthen, but a constant tendency to its diminution. If it be lawful for one party to reverse the acts of their predecessors in office, and the Lords of the Admiralty thus to cancel the decisions of the King and Council, who will place reliance in public faith? who will enter that service, where, after having faithfully discharged his duty until old age approaches, he may be displaced without any cause assigned but the will of those who have the power to act unjustly? I would not wish it to be understood that I think the present Admiralty mean to go to this extent, but every measure which tends, however remotely, to such an end, should be viewed with the greatest jealousy, and checked before it attains to too great a head. I am Sir, your obedient servant, PHILO-NAUTICUS. April 19, 1831. * Even the filling these vacancies by persons not educated at the school, is therefore a breach of their agreement. |