REVIEWS AND CRITICAL NOTICES.

LIFE OF SIR THOMAS LAWRENCE. -Though unavoidably late in our notice of this work, we must still do justice, however briefly, to its interest and value. A more amiable or gifted individual than the subject of these volumes has not appeared upon the theatre of British art. Endowed with talents of the highest order, and recommended by the most engaging qualities of person and manner, Sir Thomas Lawrence represented the aristocracy of his beautiful art just as John Kemble pourtrayed that of the drama;-for even art and science have their contrasts and extremes of representation, allowing an equal sum of talent to the antagonist parties. Wit ness the familiar instances of John Kemble and of Kean, in the Drama-of Law. rence and of David, the Frenchman, in Painting-of Scott and of Crabbe, in Poetry.

The Biography of Sir Thomas Lawrence contains a great mass of original documents, and is creditable to the industry and ability of its compiler-Mr. D. E. Williams.

BROOKE'S TRAVELS IN SPAIN AND MOROCCO.-Spain, so familiar to British soldiers, is still a region of discovery to the British traveller; while the land of the Moors, the former Lords of the Alhambra, offers an excursion of congenial interest to him who visits the scenes of their triumphs and reverses on the opposite shore of the Straits.

The late Travels of Sir Arthur Brooke, of the date of which we have no other guide than inference, through these countries, are recorded in a remarkably agreeable and intelligent style ;-undis. tinguished by any marked novelty, his descriptions are still replete with interest, lively, and characteristic, the language being that of an educated gentleman. A detailed description of Gibraltar and its celebrated siege, is included in these volumes, which are adorned by well-executed sketches.

LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NATHANIEL PEARCE.-Nathaniel Pearce, a mixture of Giovanni, Finati, and Richard Lander, partly relates his own story, which is completed by means of other authentic documents, compiled and edited by Mr. T. J. Halls. The work is dedicated to the Earl of Mountnorris, who, as Lord Valentia, had accidentally fallen in with Pearce in his travels, and

U. S. JOURN. No. 33. AUGUST 1831.

had generously befriended that wild wayfarer.

Having eloped from home and gone to sea, Pearce passed through innumerable scenes and adventures, by sea and land, turning Mussulman at Mocha, rescued again from the wretched condition of a renegade by Lord Valentia, and finally accompanying Mr. Salt in his expedition to Abyssinia, where Pearce remained domesticated, at the departure of Mr. Salt, in accordance with his own wishes, as well as to further the objects of the mission.

The narrative abounds in adventure and descriptive details of Abyssinia and the various countries visited by Pearce. The latter, having returned in 1819 to Cairo, when he became confidential superintendent of Mr. Salt's household, closed his eventful career at Alexandria in June of the following year, at the moment of embarking to revisit his native country.

FLETCHER'S HISTORY OF POLAND. This volume, hastily got up for the occasion, is nevertheless a seasonable compilation-as far as historical facts are valuable; though it is necessary in the sketch before us, as in many others of the day, to disencumber them of that oad of declamatory clap-trap which invests certain characte rs, countries, and transactions, with preternatural purity, while it heaps upon others a sameness of obloquy equally undeserved. For many of the details respecting the Siege of Vienna and its deliverance by Sobieski, the compiler, we suspect, has been indebted to the interesting account published in this Journal, though his obligations are not acknowledged. The map, prefixed to the History, is a useful accessory to this volume, which is otherwise respectably executed.

CLASSICAL LIBRARY.-Volumes 18 and 19 of this useful series contain Translations of Horace and Phædrus-Juvenal and Persius respectively. The versions of the above authors are judiciously chosen, and the volumes are as well executed as their predecessors.

Numbers 2 and 3 of the EPITOME OF ENGLISH LITERATURE, containing the compressed works of Paley and Locke, are worthy of the same Editor-Mr. Valpy.

THE CABINET CYCLOPÆDIA-AND LIBRARY.-A Treatise on OPTICS, forming the 19th Volume of the former series, 2 N

could not have proceeded from more competent hands than those of Dr. Brewster. The subject is, as might be expected, ably treated, and clearly illustrated.

The 20th volume comprises a HIS TORY OF POLAND-a work of original research, ability, and impartiality. In consequence of its latter quality, it has, of course, been outrageously abused by the "Liberal" Press, the most despotic and partial of critics. That any writer should have had the audacity to ascribe other than the most monstrous attri

butes and motives to a Monarch and a Nation (the Russians) anathematized by its own Bulls, was an offence against the fourth estate not to be tolerated. A yell of liberal intimidation has, therefore, been opened by the whole pack upon the writer and editor of this devoted history, which, nevertheless, we venture to recommend as the most complete and faithful authority on the subject of which it treats, in our language. The explanatory Preface by the writer, penned evidently in deprecation of the anticipated storm, is sensible, candid, and convincing to all but-Liberals.

Of the Cabinet Library, vol. 5th con

cludes the LIFE AND REIGN OF GEORGE THE FOURTH-a most useful compendium;—and vol. 6th forms the first of the MEMOIRS OF THE HOUSE OF BOURBON, of which work we shall be better able to form a judgment, when completed to our times.

THE SUNDAY LIBRARY, in Numbers 3 and 4, continues its series of select Sermons from the most eminent English Divines, with judgment and probable good effects. The collection is not to extend beyond six volumes.

THE SPORTING MAGAZINE, Numbers 2 and 3.—We were sportsmen in our "hot youth," and are so still at heart, spite of the gravity of our critical calling. Our recreations have fallen into the "sere and yellow leaf," and we greet the verdant cover of the Sporting Maga, as a type of our spring-time and its own hopefulness. We trust it may grow to an equally green old age.

Notices of many publications are unavoidably deferred,-amongst them are Sir Edward Seaward's Narrative, edited by Miss Porter-Memoirs of Sebastian Cabot-Marshall's Naval Operations in Ava, &c. &c.

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE UNITED SERVICE JOURNAL.

Suggestion for preventing accidents by Steamers.

MR. EDITOR,-You cannot but have observed in the papers, accounts of numerous accidents on the river, caused by steam-boats running over wherries, and you will not, perhaps, consider it unworthy of your Journal to give insertion to a suggestion on the subject, by a due attention to which many, if not all, of these accidents, might be avoided.

In America, in all the steam-boats the helmsman, instead of being placed abaft, close to the taffrail, in a low situation, from which he can see nothing, is raised on a high platform, within a few feet of the bows, from whence he commands a view, not only a-head and on both sides, but he can see the smallest boats, even when close to the vessel's cutwater.

The advantages of having the steersman in the situation described, are very considerable. In the first place, as I have already observed, he has a complete view of all objects in front of him, and this view cannot be intercepted by the passengers coming in his way. In the next place, it enables him to steer with much greater precision amongst the boats, ships, or buoys, which happen to lie in his course; and it is infinitely easier for him to avoid running over little boats, when he himself can distinctly see what those boats are about. As things are at present arranged, the captain, placed on the paddle-box, or on the bowsprit, calls out to the helmsman to alter the course, and the word has to be passed along from mouth to mouth in a most inconvenient manner.

In America, the captain or the pilot stands alongside the wheel, which is raised, as I have mentioned, on a platform, at the height of ten or twelve

feet above the deck, and far forwards. He there gives his directions quietly and distinctly to the helmsman at his elbow; or, if need be, he takes hold of the wheel himself. In any event, the wretched bawling and uproar which at present exist in our boats would be saved, and the passengers would be spared the eternal injunctions to keep out of the helmsman's way.

It may be added too, that under the circumstances above described, of steering in the bow instead of abaft, the rate of moving of the steam-boat may be greatly accelerated with perfect safety, and the reason is obvious. When the person who is guiding the movements of the boat sees his way distinctly, he can venture to run much faster than he now does, when he is virtually blindfolded.

At night, the advantages of steering a steam-boat in the bows are still more important. On the Mississippi it would be impossible, were the steamboats not so fitted, to navigate amongst the floating logs, and the fixed snags, as the trees are called which lie with their roots in the mud, and their sharp tops pointed down the stream. But by having the pilot (who I may mention, always actually, with his own hands, steers the vessel in America,) in the bow, and well raised on a platform, all these obstacles can be avoided, even in very dark nights. I need not point out to you how eminently useful the same simple device would be in navigating the river Thames at night, or in foggy, rainy, or blowing weather.

I call the device a simple one, because it absolutely requires no change of principle, and is capable of being adopted in every boat at the expense of half an hour's work for a couple of seamen, and half a day's work for two or three carpenters.

All that is requisite is, to have a small platform or scaffold, eight feet square, raised about ten feet or twelve feet above the deck, at the distance of ten or twelve feet from the stem. On this let the wheel be placed, and let the tiller ropes, after passing round the barrel, be led through blocks in the deck beneath, and again through blocks or sheeve boles on the bulwark, low down. The ropes then stretch along outside, and are supported on fair leaders or rollers till they reach blocks above the counter, and being rove through these, they are made fast to the end of the tiller, which it is best to ship abaft the rudder, so as to keep the poop or quarterdeck quite clear for the passengers, and to prevent the possibility of anything coming in the way of the tiller.

It is well to have those parts of the tiller ropes which cross the fore part of the deck, enclosed in what is called a trunk, or wooden pipe, to prevent injury from the feet of persons passing to and fro, or interruption from things lying about the decks.

It might at first be supposed, that the great additional length of the tiller ropes, and the distance of the wheel from the rudder, might make it difficult to steer the vessel. Such, however, is not the fact, as I can testify from having myself steered many steam-boats in America, of from three to four hundred tons burthen, and with perfect ease.

Practically speaking, therefore, there is no objection to the adoption of this method of steering our river steam-boats, and the expense must be quite immaterial; and I venture to prophesy, that the instant the plan is adopted by any one vessel, the advantages will be found so great, it will be generally adopted by them all.

For sea-going steam-boats, this method of steering is not so necessary, nor would it be quite so easy of adoption. But all steam-boats which perform part of their voyage at sea and part on rivers, such as the Edinburgh and Leith vessels, might very readily be fitted with two wheels and two sets of tiller ropes; one abaft, as at present, to be used at sea; the other elevated on a platform to be brought into play on entering the river.

If you think this communication worthy of a place in your Journal, I shall be glad to send you, for your next month's Number, another plan for the further improvement of steam navigation in rivers ;-not a fanciful scheme,

but one which has been for years in use on the Tay, with such great advantage, that I have often wondered why it was not universally adopted. I remain your most obedient servant,

BASIL HALL, Capt. R.N.

Judge Johnson's Military Law.

MR. EDITOR, I observe that the opinion lately given by Judge Johnson, in answer to a question by Sir William Cox, one of the Grand Jury at the Wexford Assizes, "That in case an officer should give an illegal order to his men to fire on a mob, any soldier obeying the order would likewise be amenable for the offence," is questioned by "an Officer" in the Times newspaper of this day; but that the Editor of that very "Liberal and Patriotic Print" states the opinion to be "perfectly correct." Surely that highlygifted gentleman is for once in error; and if I am not mistaken, you will take every means of counteracting the evils likely to arise from the propagation of an opinion so mischievous to the service.

In the Articles of War, under the head of "Crimes punishable with Death, Transportation," &c., I find (Clause 13) included, "Any officer or soldier who shall disobey the lawful command of his superior officer," but it never was intended, and it never will be recognised, that soldier is to question the legality of the commands of his officer, or that he shall be punished for obeying them. I have at this moment some instructions lately issued from the Horse-Guards, and the maxim under the head of " Articles of War" is, "OBEDIENCE IS THE FIRST DUTY OF A SOLDIER." I do not think they have yet appeared in your Journal, and I therefore enclose an extract, the publication of which may be serviceable.

"ARTICLES OF WAR.

"OBEDIENCE IS THE FIRST DUTY OF A SOLDIER.

"For the following offences, the Articles of War inflict on the soldier the penalty of death, or such other punishment as a Court-Martial may award.

"Mutiny. Desertion.-Cowardice.-Holding correspondence with the enemy. Quitting his post in search of plunder.-Personal violence to a superior, or disobedience of his lawful commands.-Forcing a safe-guard.-Betraying the watchword.-Giving false alarms.-Casting away arms or ammunition.-Sleeping on, or quitting his post.

"For the following offences, a soldier is liable to be punished by transportation, or general service, or corporal punishment, and, in addition to any other punishment, by forfeiture of all claim to pension on discharge, and of all additional pay whilst serving.

"Using traitorous words against the King or Royal Family.-Persuading to desert, or harbouring a deserter.-Being drunk on duty.-Breaking arrest.-Giving a different watchword.-Spreading false reports in the field. In action, or previous to action, using words tending to create alarm.-Quitting ranks without leave.— Being made prisoner by neglect.-Seizing supplies.-Disgraceful and vicious conduct. Refusing assistance to, or impeding the Provost Marshal.-Embezzling or misapplying money or stores.

"For the following offences, a soldier is to be punished according to the nature and degree of the offence.

"Speaking to the hurt or dishonour of the general, or other commander-in-chief of the forces.-Neglect of orders on duty.-Hiring another person to do his duty without authority.-Absence from parade.-Giving false alarms at home by discharging fire-arms, &c.-Lying out of quarters.-Being found one mile from the camp, without leave.-Permitting baggage-waggons, or carriages, to be overloaded. -Selling, losing, or spoiling his arms, accoutrements, or necessaries.-Selling, losing, or ill-treating his horse.-Committing waste, or destroying property.-Noncommissioned officer striking or ill-treating a soldier.-Vexatious appeal from a regimental court martial.-Any non-commissioned officer, or soldier, convicted of embezzling or misapplying money intrusted to him, is to be put under stoppages until the money is made good.

"A soldier convicted of malingering, of feigning, or producing disease, of injuring

his health by vice or intemperance, of absenting himself from hospital whilst under medical treatment, or of a gross violation of the rules of the hospital, may be tried for disgraceful conduct, and shall be subjected to the pains and penalties attached to that offence; and a soldier convicted of disgraceful conduct, having been once previously convicted of an offence of a disgraceful character, or of offences which render him unworthy to be retained in the army, may, in addition to any other punishment, be discharged with ignominy, and will thereby forfeit all claim to pension, or allowance on discharge.

"A soldier who shall become maimed or mutilated by the firing off of his musket, or by any other means, is to be tried by a court-martial, and if it be found by the Court that the maiming or mutilating was the effect of design, he shall not be discharged, but shall be employed on military work. If a soldier tamper with his eyes, or by vice, intemperance, or misconduct, shall cause the total or partial loss of his sight, he shall not be entitled to his discharge, or to a pension, but shall be detained in an eye infirmary.

"A soldier convicted of having been four times drunk within twelve months, or twice drunk when for parade or duty, within twelve months, may be deprived of his additional pay, or of the allowance in lieu of beer, for a period not exceeding two years.

"Any person having been discharged from the army, who shall re-enlist, and when questioned by the magistrate at the time of being attested, shall conceal or misrepresent the cause of his discharge, shall not reckon his past service, nor be allowed a pension, if again discharged for disability.

"All crimes not capital, and all disorders and neglects which soldiers may be guilty of, to the prejudice of military discipline, though not specified in the Articles of War, are to be taken cognizance of by courts-martial, and punished according to the nature and degree of the offence.

"COMPLAINTS.

"When a soldier has any complaint to make, he should appeal to the Captain of his Company; his tone and manner should be temperate and respectful; and if he prefers to be accompanied by a non-commissioned officer, he should request a serjeant of the company to go with him. No soldier, on any account, is to presume to make a complaint to his officer for another soldier who conceives he is aggrieved; and not more than two soldiers should approach the officer, to make a complaint at one and the same time."

25th July 1831.

ANTI-RADICAL.

*We believe there is but one opinion in the service, and amongst all sober-minded persons out of it, as to the misapplication and mischievous tendency of the dogma so unadvisedly propounded by the Irish Judge. The latter, and civilians in general, forget that the army is and must be governed by a separate code, which is annually sanctioned by the Legislature, under the title of the Mutiny Act. The extract we have given above, from the Articles of War, taken in its obvious spirit, will prove the sophistry, and, we trust, prevent the disorganizing effects of an opinion, which, in the case of the soldier, is equally irreconcileable with fact, expediency, and common sense.-ED.

Comments on "The Distribution and Duties of the Medical Staff of the Army."*

MR. EDITOR, I have perused in your entertaining Journal for June 1831, certain observations, signed "a Medical Officer," "on the Distribution and Duties of the unattached Medical Staff of the Army at home;" and to whom, Irish like, though UNATTACHED, he gives DUTIES and STATIONS to in a sort of tabular form, the compilation of which he declares gave him great trouble in coming at the truth. He also, with a continued trifle of the bull in him, tells you that the titles of Director-General, Principal Inspector-Ge