of craft have just now been placed under trial, but, as I understand, with small chance of success. The only successful amateur builder appears to be Captain, now Admiral, George Elliot, who planned the Eurydice,' avowedly one of the best-if not the very best-ship of her class in our fleet; he having previously built the 'Modeste,' of a smaller class, which is also much praised for her good qualities. A dangerous set of projectors appear to have recently found their way into the good graces of the Admiralty, and supplied their Lordships with a whole fleet of iron steam-vessels, altogether useless, it would seem, as ships of war. I very much doubt whether, had the proposal of building such vessels been submitted to Lord Minto, while he presided at the Board, the serious objection would not have occurred to him, that a shot, passing through a plate of iron, must leave on the opposite or inner side of the plate such a jagged margin round the hole, as would have suggested at once the difficulty, if not the impossibility, of plugging it up in sufficient time to prevent a rush of water pouring in. He would, at least, have satisfied himself, by direct experiment, whether the objection was removable and without inconvenience. As far as I have seen in the public papers, the inventions hitherto tried to obviate the evil have been unsatisfactory; but the vessels have been built and the expense has been incurred. I do not recollect that anything material took place during the remaining period of Lord Minto's administration, beyond the general and usual occurrences that daily occupy the attention of the Board of Admiralty. The Navy is indebted to him for the extension and improvement of the seamen's libraries: and I may add, also, to that excellent and charitable lady, the late Elizabeth Fry, of whose unceasing solicitude for an improvement in the morals and comforts of all in the naval service, I had frequent and abundant proofs. We are indebted to her admirably well-chosen selection of books, for the completion of the seamen's libraries. She told me, one day, she had just completed a tour round the sea-coast of Great Britain, to visit all the coastguard stations, with a view to succeed, if practicable, in obtaining books for the perusal of the poor fellows that had attracted her notice and commiseration, as she regarded their solitary walks along the sea-shore, looking out for smugglers. I could only refer her to the Commissioners of Customs, under whom the coast-guard is placed. I was much gratified by the frequent visits of the good Mrs. Fry, and with her correspondence, which always had relation to some humane and charitable purpose; as a specimen I annex the copy of a letter I find at hand: "Esteemed Friend, "Upton Lane, 1st month 12th, 1836. "According to thy request I ordered a list to be sent to thee of our libraries; first, the one that is gone to 498 stations: and secondly, one of our large District libraries; there will be 74 of these, and all the larger ones will have considerable variety in them. My daughter and myself also hope soon to send thee our list of books, that we have sent for the use of the Government packets, but we have it not by us just now. "I long to have the great hospital libraries increased and renewed. I believe it would do much good and prevent much harm; for the human mind, if not properly occupied, is sure to suffer; and there are many hours, particularly in recovery from illness, that may be spent pleasantly and profitably in reading. "The officers at Plymouth complained of the smallness of their library there; and, as a very few pounds would greatly increase it, I should be very much gratified in hearing that this request was granted. I feel more free in pressing this subject because I know that Sir William Burnett approves the officers and sailors having the books. I have had much experience in visiting the sick, and I am sure that persons are much mistaken who are disposed to preclude religious books from them; because I am sure, if able to read the Bible and works of simple Christian truth, they tend to calm, support, and comfort them in their affliction, and consequently frequently promote recovery. should be careful, certainly, what books I introduced. I "I thought it better, as it respects the articles in the Irish ships, to write to thee, and, if thou think proper, pray represent it to the Board. I fear thou wilt think me rather a troublesome correspondent, but my motive for writing must plead my excuse. I hope that thou wast so kind as to present my respects to Lord Minto, and to inform him, how very much obliged I feel for his great kindness in nominating Captain Prynn's son to the upper school at Greenwich. "My hands are so very cold that I fear part of my letter is hardly legible. "I remain, with esteem and regard, Mr. Secretary Wood left the Admiralty on the 4th October, 1839, greatly respected by his colleagues, and by all who had served under him, for his uniform kindness and good feeling towards them, having accepted the Secretaryship of the Treasury; and Mr. M. O'Ferrall succeeded to his place in the Admiralty, which he retained till the 9th June, 1841: when he removed to the Treasury, and was replaced by Mr. John Parker, in the Admiralty, on the 9th June; and went out on the 10th September following, with the Earl of Minto, after a short service of three months. The Whig administration was in fact dissolved, in consequence of the dissolution of Parliament, and the result of the new one being decidedly against that party; Sir Robert Peel was appointed First Lord of the Treasury, and the Earl of Haddington First Lord of the Admiralty. SECTION XIII. The EARL of HADDINGTON. May 22, 1841-January, 1846. Rt. Hon. Sir GEORGE COCKBURN ...First Naval Lord. ...First Secretary. WHEN the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel had declined, on a former occasion, to accept office on the terms proposed, Lord Melbourne consented to remain at the head of the Treasury, and Lord Minto accepted the Admiralty, and conducted it with great credit till the commencement of the year 1841, under that tottering administration. Parliament was dissolved, and the returns went so much against the Whigs, as already stated, that Sir Robert Peel was sent for, who accepted the seals, and his early friend the Earl of Haddington was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty. A letter from Sir Robert introduced me to his Lordship, to whom I had the honour of being well known in his early life. This change, and the return of Sir George Cockburn to the Admiralty, together with the appointment of Mr. Sidney Herbert as Secretary, whom I also had known as a boy, when I was not unknown to Lord and Lady Pembroke, induced me to give up all thought for the present of resigning my situation, |