About four days after, Sir Samuel Hood made a signal to the rock to try the range of the 18-pounders, which was done, and found to command the passage between the rock and the main island so effectually, that no vessels could attempt it without great risk; and from the great height of the guns above the horizon, the shot were carried to such a distance, that vessels passing the rock on the outside, or great channel between Martinique and St. Pierre, were obliged to keep so far off the land, that the winds and strong westerly currents would not let them fetch into Port Royal Bay. Thus the object of taking possession of the Diamond Rock fully answered the purpose intended; and the rock was, in due form, put upon the establishment of a sloop of war, but with almost a frigate's complement of seamen and marines, being allowed to have as many supernumeraries as to make the number one hundred and fifty men and boys, supplied with ammunition, stores, and provisions from Antigua or Barbadoes for six months.

This nondescript man-of-war existed about two years and a half, and was of great service to many of the squadron stationed about the French islands. Here a few bullocks and sheep, with other fresh provisions, were kept for them; and the hospital was of infinite service in recovering the crews after fever, or other casualties,-indeed, in our estimation, it was the most favoured spot in the West Indies.

The Diamond Rock was at last retaken by a French squadron in 1805 or 1806, after a gallant defence, owing to the want of ammunition, and perhaps not considered of so much importance by the admiral who succeeded our commodore, whose squadron was, indeed, employed in a more distant part of his station; and the only attraction now on this desolate rock is the chance visit of some old friend or shipmate who served in the West Indies at that period, to trace the graves of Reynolds and Neville, who gallantly fell in action, and are buried here, with many other brave spirits, who all, like myself, had the happiness and honour to serve under that distinguished chief, Sir Samuel Hood.

The following circumstance claims to be added to this notice of the Diamond Rock. After the Centaur parted from the rock, on getting the last gun up, she came to an anchor inside, between the Diamond Rock and the main island. During the nights, the ship was visited by some negroes from the shore, who stole off to sell fruit and bananas. It was reported that the governor had been much annoyed at our proceedings on the Diamond, and determined to erect a mortar battery on the

heights opposite, to destroy our works, and that a lieutenant-colonel of engineers, with an escort, had already arrived, and were quartered at a plantation about four miles off from the beach. One of the blacks had been long in an English family, and on their departure from the island he had been sold to a French planter; but not liking his new master, he took leave to claim protection under the British flag, which was granted, and a promise of keeping him in the service, a free man, if he would conduct a party to the colonel's quarters. Accordingly the barge, well manned and armed, under the orders of Lieutenant Reynolds, with Lieutenant Betterworth and other volunteers, in all twentythree persons, including Black Jack, our guide, landed on the main island at midnight. The party then set off at quick time through the different plantations of sugar, coffee, and cotton, and arrived in sight of the farm-house. Jack was sent in advance; and, with an acuteness so peculiar to his race, he crept softly into almost all the huts and outhouses, and discovered that the soldiers were sleeping in perfect security, and found their arms piled under a shed, evidently under the charge of a sentinel, but who, they afterwards learned, found himself more comfortable in the huts. On this information, Lieutenant Betterworth (being the best Frenchman) and a party went boldly up to the door of the house, and demanded immediate admittance to the colonel, being charged with despatches from the governor to Port Royal. They were let in by a female slave, who, seeing Black Jack in advance, whom she knew, showed the way to the colonel's sleeping room. The rest of our party, under Lieutenant Reynolds, surrounded the huts and out-houses; and in ten minutes seventeen of the soldiers, with their arms, and giving them time to take their knapsacks, were made prisoners without firing a shot. The house party now joined, with the colonel, also a prisoner; the whole returned to the boat, and were on board the ship by daylight. This little trick played off on the governor of Martinique took from him the only officer of engineers he had on the island: so the people of the Diamond heard no more intelligence respecting a mortar-battery.

COMPARATIVE Pay and allowances of KING'S OFFICERS IN INDIA

AND ENGLAND.

BY A KING'S OFFICER.

Ar a moment when the renewal of the East India Company's Charter is about to become a matter of discussion before Parliament, it may not be illtimed to offer a few observations relative to the situation of his Majesty's troops serving in India, for the information of those whose minds are biassed by a belief that superior advantages accrue to the King's officer on service in that country. I beg to refer my readers to an article in the United Service Journal, "2d part, of March, 1830, page 230," by an officer in a sister presidency; the language and style of which, so far surpassing anything I can offer, deterred me from laying this statement sooner before the public. But on consideration, the rates of pay in, and exchange with India, being published in a subsequent Journal of March, 1831, I feel it due to those who have connexions or friends serving in this country, to set them right on this subject; and at the same time, without dwelling on a long residence in an unhealthy climate and a distant country, propose to show that the letter alluded to was founded upon the strongest arguments," That the King's troops in India, as far as relates to those who rank as Captain

and Subaltern, together with their inferiors, are not so well paid as at home." "That the King's troops have not the same advantages as those of the East India Company."

To effect this, we shall first consider the exchange :

The Honourable East India Company pay the troops at Madras at the rate of 28. 3 d. per rupee. But I refer now to the publication in the United Service Journal of March, 1831, which states the Sonaut and Madras rupee to be worth 2s. 6d., when its intrinsic value is only 18. 9d.; and the rate of exchange has been for some years only 1s. 84d.; and instead of pay, when reduced into pounds, shillings, and pence, being as stated in that publication, it is as follows:-(this includes contracts for tents and quarters, of which I shall say more hereafter)

N.B.—An Assistant-Surgeon is paid the same as Lieutenant, in India.

The effects of this difference between the real and nominal value of the rupee, considered as a military question, can scarcely be anticipated. The soldier complains that he receives his pay at one rate, and is obliged to pay for European articles at another: a rupee being called 2s. 3 d. when given to him, and 18. 8d. when received from him, thereby entailing a loss of about 7d. in each rupee; causing thereby suspicion on the part of the soldier, and alienating him from his captain, the odium of which impression, when removed by the latter, falls upon the superior regimental authorities.

Another grievance, heavy indeed, on the widows and children of deceased soldiers, (who reside in England, not being permitted to join their husbands,) is, that the effects are remitted to them at 18. 10d. the rupee, when the pay of the deceased has been issued by the Honourable Company at 2s. 34d.: a serious loss to persons of their condition in life. On the other hand, it may be said, a soldier can remit his bona fide savings of pay at the same rate he receives it; but this becomes a delusion when it is known how little can be or is remitted. Were he to receive what is professed to be given, viz., (his English pay without beer-money,) at the rate of exchange of the day, his savings would be about 7d. in every rupee.

Before I enter on a comparison of the pay in England with that of India, which will be shown in the following statements, it will be necessary to mention, that the allowances in both countries are increased on a march. This increase in England is the same to senior and junior officers, and sufficient for the extra expenses.

In England, regiments are frequently kept in motion, with short respites, for one or two years; and then, perhaps, sent to Ireland, where the officer receive 10s. 6d. a day for every march which he performs on revenue duty; and this, in some places, occurs every other day. In India, previous to 1819, regiments were constantly in the field; and subsequently to that period, were much harassed during the Burmese war; and now, in Bengal, perform marches of four months' continuance,-hence we may infer, that ninety days' march in each year is a fair average for the last thirty years.

I will now proceed to the statement in which the pay and allowances, in English money, will be set in opposition to the pay and allowances in India, in the currency of that country. They will then be converted at the rate of 1s. 84d. per rupee into British money, to show how much more expense an officer incurs in one country than in the other-which shall be followed by a statement detailing the amount of contracts, &c., which is required of an officer serving in the latter country more than in the former.

The statement will be made out at the rate paid to troops serving in Fort St. George and in the Carnatic.

Gratuity, 36 do. per month

Candles and Fuel, valued at

Half Tentage, 37 do., 8 annas do.

Regent's allowance

Balance less cost to British Government