1311 guns, and which is manned by 25,570 men, whereas the same sort of force, while Mr. Pitt was at the helm, never exceeded 139 guns; and that 86 out of the 120 gun-boats, which constituted the whole of the flotilla in the time of the same minister, were found to be badly constructed, to be wholly unfit for use, and were condemned by the Navy Board. To obviate the second of the preceding charges, the writer states that Mr. Pitt's ministry was only able in one whole year, after the last war began, to put in commission 268 ships; while the number brought forwards by the Earl of St.Vincent, in nine months, amounted to 351, besides 1241 armed vessels of different kinds; and that in the latter period the ships of the enemy had diminished from their total amount in the former, in the proportion of six to five, while our force was superior in that of seven to five. He observes that Mr. Pitt and his colleagues entered on war surrounded by the stores which had accumulated during a long period of peace, and that they were not required to create an immense land force, but to attend solely to naval preparations: whereas Lord St. Vincent was called to equip the navy when the nation had scarcely found time to breathe after a war which had exhausted our utmost resources, and was retarded in consequence of the waste and improvident consumption of his predecessors, and of the universal want of order and regulation in every department. Still, says his advocate, his superior experience and activity enabled him in nine months to send out against France alone a naval force three times as great as that with which the country, after nine years of preparation, was furnished in 1801, in order to face the fleets of all the maritime powers, both those of the South and those of the North of Europe. The ships of the line in 1804 are within seventeen, and shortly will be within five, (twelve more being nearly ready,) of their numerical amount in 1801. The whole naval force of the latter year was 650 vessels only, while that of the present amounts to 1,660; a force not only almost three times greater, but containing fewer of those kinds of vessels which are unimportant in the scale of defence. He apologizes to the Right Honourable Gentleman for stating to him the difference in the expenditure in the two respective years. In 1801, 16,429,5371. were required for the naval department, to be laid out on no more than 650 vessels; while in 1804, for 1,660 vessels, only 9,951,3781. were voted. Under the third head, the zealous defender of the Noble Earl inveighs against the system prevalent when Mr. Pitt was in power, of constructing two thirds of the navy in merchants' yards; as well as against the idleness and waste of treasure allowed in those of His Majesty. Lord St. Vincent is said to have contrived a reformation of these evils, to have added considerably to the number of ships built in the royal yards, and to have increased tenfold the labour produced there by the same number of hands. Mr. Pitt laid it down that, in war, no new ships could be built in the royal dock-yards, because the repairs of the navy would require all the hands there employed; whereas, in consequence of arrangements proposed to be introduced by the Noble Earl, the usual number of hands would be able to add yearly to the naval force of the country thirteen sail of the line, with a proportionate number of frigates; besides performing all the repairs which the service may require, and working only at the rate that is allowed in the merchants' yards. According to the settled prices of the Navy Board for work, the wages for building the whole British Navy, masts and yards included, would not amount to two millions. In the last seven years, a sum has been expended which would have been sufficient to replace the whole navy; and yet in three times seven years, not a fourteenth part of the whole navy has been launched from the King's yards! Is this, then, asks our author, the activity, zeal, and spirit of the Right Hon. Gentleman's friends?-and are these the persons whom he proposes as a model to the board at which Lord St. Vincent presided? If the facts here stated be correct, and the representations well-founded, it will be impossible for any impartial man to withhold his tribute of gratitude to the late Admiralty Board, for the services which it had rendered, and which it was in a course of rendering to the country; as well as not to regret the fate which it has experienced, since this discussion took place. We profess not, however, to form any judgment on the case, nor to direct that of our readers: merely recording the principal facts and arguments of those who pretend to a greater knowlege of the subject. Some other tracts on this controversy have appeared, which we hope to consider in our next number. MONTHLY CATALOGUE, For JULY, 1804. EDUCATION. Jo. Art. 14. Sequel to the Pronouncing Spelling Book: containing about 2000 Words from Mr. Murray's English Reader, Dr. Enfield's Speaker, and other School Books; with their Signification and Explana Explanation from Mr. Walker's Pronouncing Dictionary, &c. &c. Great care and attention appear to have been employed by Mrs. W. in this selection for the use of her pupils. Her labours in the service of youth have been already noticed by us in the course of the present year; and we are happy in having a new opportunity of recommending to public patronage the exertions of a deserving and experienced instructress. Man Art. 15. Abrégé de l'Histoire Universelle, pour la Direction des jeunes gens, &c. Par feu M. Vernet, Professeur à Genève. Small 12mo. 1s. 6d. Cadell and Davies. This very concise abridgement of Universal History has much merit, and deserves the pains taken by the editor to republish it in England. It divides history into fifteen periods; of which, seven are allotted to Antient History, five to the middle ages, and three to modern. The author had an extensive acquaintance with historical re. cords, and a perspicuous mode of arranging the principal points.— At the 29th page, an error has crept in, and the period of Constantine is made 132, whereas it ought to have been 312 of the Christian Æra. Art. 16. English Parsing, comprising the Rules of Syntax, exemplified by appropriate Lessons under each Rule, &c. &c. By James Giles, Master of the Free School, Gravesend. 12mo. 2s. Ro binsons. These rules may perhaps be found of service by those parents, who, as the author supposes is often the case, undertake to instruct their children without a competent knowlege of English Grammar. Where this defect, however, is not the misfortune of the teacher, we should conceive that oral instruction would supersede the necessity of these lessons. Art. 17. An Easy Introduction to M. Wailly's French Grammar. In two separate Books. By Blanch Mercy. 12mo. 28. each, bound. C. and R. Baldwin. One of these little volumes is intended for the use of the instructress, the other for the exercise of the female pupil.-The exercises appear to be drawn up with care, and the directions to the teacher are very full and minute. Art. 18. Skeleton of the Latin Accidence. By J. Carey. folding Boards. 25. Longman and Co. Do Do D.o Pasted on This wooden expedient will happily obviate one charge against the pupil,-that of tearing and dogs-earing his book: but we do not observe any other material advantage likely to accrue. The tenses are not kept sufficiently distinct on these boards; and the eye of the learner, we should apprehend, would be confused. Do Art. 19. The Young Englishman's Manual: containing, Part 1. a Geographical and Topographical Description of England. Part 2. a general View of the Constitution, Revenue, Ecclesiastical, Civil, and Military Establishments of England. By B. Price. zd Edition, considerably enlarged. 12mo. 48. Boards. Sael and Co. This is a very useful introduction for young persons to the local knowlege of their own country, as well as to an acquaintance with its primary institutions.-Much information is detailed in a small compass, and we doubt not that the design will meet due encouragement. NOVELS. D." Art 20. Letters from Mrs. Palmerstone to her Daughter. By Mrs. Hunter, of Norwich. 12mo. 3 Vols. 158. Boards. Long man and Rees. In our remarks on the merits of this lady's talents as a novel-writer, on two former occasions, we principally objected to the multiplicity of characters which were introduced; and in consequence of which the narrative became an intricate labyrinth, calculated to perplex and bewilder the reader in his search after entertainment. We are glad to state that this objection is removed in the present instance, by the adoption of detached narratives for each letter; which enable the writer to pourtray, with just effect, several distinct and instructive scenes of human life, without the embarrassment of leading the same individuals through a lenghthened series of events.-The conduct of this latter kind of narrative requires peculiar talents; and we think that those of Mrs. H. are more happily exerted in depicting multifarious views of the virtues or vices incident to mortals. The present letters evidently display a habit of observation on men and manners, and no mean degree of discrimination in regard to characters: but it is of more importance to add that they exhibit, in the person of the author, the Patroness of Virtue; and while they furnish many useful lessons for the young female reader, they will not fail to amuse, and perhaps to instruct, those of maturer years. The allego. rical tales are pleasing; and in particular that of the Mother-in-law does honour to the understanding and maternal tenderness of the writer. Art. 21. The Cave of Cosenza: a Romance of the 18th Century; altered from the Italian, by Eliza Nugent Bromley. 12mo. 2 Vols. 129. Boards. Robinsons. The hero of this tale, Frederic Fitzjames, after many years of conjugal felicity, is suddenly induced by the fascinating arts of a female stranger to forsake his dearest connections, and to surrender himself a captive to the charms and wiles of an abandoned Syren. Conducted to Italy, he begins to discover his error: but, by the villany of Baptista, who is in league with his mistress, he is carried off a prisoner, and let down by ropes into the cavern of a mountain. Here he is monthly supplied with bread and water, till at length he discovers a passage in the cave, which conducts to a den of robbers. With them he afterward is compelled to associate, and becomes a friend and favourite with their captain.-The character of this captain is represented as the most daring and atrocious; vindictive even to the perpetration of murder and the foulest assassination; and yet friendly, benevolent, and anxiously seeking objects of his kindness and protec tion: such a character cannot exist. A robber may be capable of a sudden act of generosity: but to suppose his general conduct to be influenced by principles so irreconcileable and opposite, is to suppose that "Satan can be divided against himself.” POLITICAL. " Art. 22. A Letter to the Right Hon. Lord King, in Défence of the Conduct of the Directors of the Banks of England and Ireland, whom his Lordship (in a Publication intitled, Thoughts on the Restriction of Payments in Specie," &c &c.) accuses of Abuse of their Privileges. With Remarks on the Cause of the great Rise of the Exchange between Dublin and London, and the Means of equalizing it. By Henry Boase. 8vo. 28. Nicol. 1804. We presume that the Bank Directors are honourable men ; and if the Restriction-Bill with the circumstances accompanying it, originally was, and still continues to be, a necessary measure, the inquiries to which this transaction has led might be conducted without implicating the moral character of these gentlemen. It is fair to believe that they acted to the best of their judgment for themselves and for the country but how far it was politic in the Government to place the Bank of England in such a situation that it was under the necessity of applying to parliament for a bill restricting its cash payments, and what may be the ultimate result of this step, are questions about which monied men and political arithmeticians are at variance. Some think that the increased circulation of paper is a benefit, while others assert their preference of metallic money, and predict evils from the excessive diffusion of tissue currency. Mr. Boase, in volunteering the defence of the Bank Directors, is in course the panegyrist of paper money, singing its praise “above gold, even above fine gold:" but though, in some places, he has suggested hints not unworthy of Lord King's consideration, he, in others, argues not only superficially, but even in the teeth of his own statements. We shall not enter into his justification of the conduct of the Bank Directors, on the ground of their having a larger stake in the public-weal than in the capital of the Bank,' but proceed at once to his argument, in which he contends that notes and guineas are of equal value. Mr. B. says, if a foreign merchant were to come in person to receive a bill for 1051. sterling, and he was paid an hundred guineas in gold, these would avail him no more in the British market than 101. in Bank notes; because the law forbids him to melt or export the current coin. As in another place he confesses that he knows not any law to prevent clipping and melting, when the price of bullion encourages this practice, we apprehend that few persons will give much credit to Mr. B's because. In pp. 38 and 39, he completely proves that 100 guineas and 1051. Bank notes are not of precisely the same value in the estimation of the Bank of England; since, if they were melted and taken to the bullion office, the Bank would give more than 1051. in notes for the ingot thus made out of the guineas. It may not be amiss to let Mr. Boase speak for himself on this delicate subject: No man is obliged to take a Bank note for payment of a Bank note: he may go to the bullion office and purchase gold or silver for it at the market price. The Bank charter does not prescribe the payment of its notes in guineas; and where would be the justice or |