distance of high-water-mark, where-our bed the sand-our canopy the skywe were soon lulled asleep by the soothing sound of the hollow breeze, and the mournful melody of the murmuring sea.'

On the next day the long-boat was discovered to be in a bad plight, too bad, indeed, to be meddled with by the carpenter, but being chintzed with oakum, covered with tallow, and patched up with canvass, she was made seaworthy. In fact, business was going forward. Dr. Wilson says, "The sailmakers were directed to convert the fore-royal into a lug-sail, and to make a jib from some spare canvass, that we might be enabled to make progress on a wind. The remainder of the crew were employed variously; some were picking bread, others filling water, some gathering oysters, and others cruising about, in search of adventures, or amusing themselves with the loquacious prattle of a favourite cockatoo, which had been, by general consent, permitted to accompany us."

Nor were observations of the sun neglected, and ample care was taken to determine correctly the position of these islands, which appear hitherto to have eluded even the chart-makers themselves. In the course of the day all arrangements had been completed, the long-boat was afloat, and leaked very little, and every thing was in readiness to resume the voyage the next morning. The preparatory address of the Captain, and the proceedings down to their departure, are thus alluded to by the Doctor :

"In the evening we re-assembled, when a short address was made to the sailors, explanatory of our projected future proceedings. The dangers, that might reasonably be expected to befall us during the way, were pointed out, and also the means of avertiug or combating them successfully; the sailors were complimented on their hitherto general good conduct, which it was hoped would continue to merit praise, as influencing materially the favourable issue of our enterprise.

"The scene was impressive and picturesque ;-the numerous blazing fires, which the sailors had for pastime kindled along the shore, completely illumined the small bay in which the boats, all ready for departure, were now floating, and threw a lurid glare on the hardy weather-worn countenances of the assembled group, who were ever and anon reminded of their unenviable situation, by a sudden blast of the breeze, or a sullen threatening roar of the ruthless sea. Place, time, and circumstances, thus conspiring to excite and cherish gloomy ideas, those who looked beyond the present moment could not avoid being somewhat depressed, in spite of every effort to be, as well as to appear, cheerful and unconcerned.

"Watches were placed in situations commanding a good look out, with directions how to act, should any strangers make their appearance during the night,-precautionary measures to prevent surprise, being now rendered doubly necessary; as it was reasonable to suppose, that the natives, (distinct and recent traces of whom had been oberved during the day,) might be attracted to the spot by the fires, which were blazing in all directions around us. After these arrangements we severally betook ourselves to rest.

"The spot where the Captain and myself slept last night, had been, by the care of some of our comrades, converted into a very pretty bower,-branches of trees being interwoven on the east and west sides of the rock, the ensign spread over the top, soft twigs strewed on the sand, and the whole ornamented with various flowers. We were pleased with this spontaneous attention, and slept soundly till about two o'clock in the morning, when we got up, for the purpose of making some observations, with a view to determine the longitude; the distance between " Jupiter" and the Moon's remote, and between "Fomalhaut" and her near limb, were measured carefully several times; and the

observations thus made being reserved for calculation, when time and place might be more convenient, the observers resumed their repose till the dawn of day.

"As soon as daylight appeared, preparations were made for our departure; before embarking, I recommended, both by precept and example, a long swim,-to exercise and fatigue the limbs, now about to be cramped and confined for some time. We also thought it not amiss to take a good breakfast, which the cooks, who had been early at work, had prepared for us. This being finished, every utensil capable of containing water was filled therewith; and all being properly arranged in the boats, about six o'clock, A.M., of the 22d of May, we left the island, not without regret, yet pleased that we should no longer be annoyed with reefs and sand-banks. Not wishing to run the risk of finding a clear passage between any of the islands, we steered to the northward of the group, and then directed our course W. by S. across the gulf of Carpentaria."

Every one has heard of the extraordinary voyage of the Bounty's launch. She passed over the same sea as the three boats of the Governor Ready were now navigating. Sunday came, and was thus passed." In the forenoon, conformably to usual custom, we joined in the performance of Divine service; but in the present instance we did not adhere to the prescribed forms, having judged it preferable to select such Psalms, and other portions of Scripture, as were more immediately applicable to persons in our situation; and it may readily be believed that our devotion was fervent and sincere. Indeed, our lives depended on so frail a tenure, that there was no difficulty in abstracting our thoughts from all worldly affairs; and the contemplation of the sea and sky tended to inspire us with a faint conception of that Almighty Power by whose fiat they sprang into existence?—It was by no means an uninteresting scene, to behold three small boats in the wide ocean, crowded with human beings, apparently at the dubious mercy of the winds and waves, offering up their prayers and supplications to Him, "who is the confidence of the ends of all the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea."

But in the following day the weather became boisterous, and anxiety was felt for those in the skiff and jolly boat; the sea had become formidable as the wind increased, and those in the jolly-boat were, after due consideration, admitted into the long-boat, the skiff having been lost sight of.

With this additional burthen, Dr. Wilson observes, "It now behoved us to be most attentive to the steerage; as the neglect of a moment might prove our ruin. We kept W. by S. for Melville Island, but our hopes of reaching it were very slender. By great vigilance, we managed to elude the encroachments of the waves, till about nine, P. M., when a heavy sea, whose deathdenoting sound still lingers in my ears, rolled over the larboard quarter, and filled the boat! For a moment we were paralysed, believing that we were going down, without the most distant hope of any one of us being saved. Finding, however, that the boat still floated, we took heart, baled away, and threw every article of no essential importance overboard.

"This group consists of fourteen small islands; the largest not being more than three miles in length, and about one and a half in breadth. The island at which we stopped was of considerable height. The trees were of stunted growth; the grass was luxuriant, and the water in abundance. On the (granite) pinnacle of the island, we observed an immense collection of stones, resembling a cairn; and as we imagined it served the same purpose, we did not fail to increase the heap by a liberal contribution. High water occurs at about 2h. 30m. after the Moon's culmination, and the tide rises from eight to ten feet. The iatitude, as already observed, is 10° 13′ 27′′ south, and the longitude, by lunar observations, and by chronometer corrected from the Eastern Fields, is 141° 56′ 36" east. Neither Captain Flin ders nor Captain King went so far north, and therefore did not notice these islands; which, in compliment to the Hon. Capt. Duncan, R.N., we named Duncan's Isles.

"The sea had upset the compass, extinguished the light, and rendered it impossible for us to obtain another; yet we managed (although the task was difficult) to keep the boat right before the wind. Just as we had got her baled out, she was again filled by another wave. We now determined to hazard the dangerous experiment of taking in the mainsail; this being effected, and the reefed-jib set, we could do no more than quietly submit to the will of Him who rides in the whirlwind, and directs the storm.'"

This had the effect of relieving the boat, as not a spray broke over her afterwards, and they pursued their weary course for Melville Island, the boat riding safely over the highest waves. The next day, however, it was discovered that they had run past Melville Island; and as to beat back any distance was impossible, the course was directed for Timor. This gave the party more concern, as the skiff had been lost sight of; but as she was known to be a good boat, and not overladen, well-founded hopes were entertained of her safety.

Having run 150 miles in the course of the next twenty-four hours, in a heavy sea, amidst squalls accompanied with thunder, lightning, and rain, about six in the evening of the first of June, the land of Timor was discovered, on which Dr. Wilson observes, "To say that this event caused universal joy, would convey but a faint idea of the feelings that pervaded every bosom ;" and all sail was made in the hopes of reaching Coupang before dark. But they were disappointed, and it was not until the following morning that they entered the Strait of Semao. A brig was perceived working out of the bay of Coupang."Various were the conjectures," says Dr. Wilson, "as to what she was, and whither bound; some thinking her an American, some an Arab, and others a Dutchman. After a little discussion, we edged away for her, exhibiting our ensign as conspicuously as we could. Some time elapsed before she took any notice of us, and we began to think that it was not her intention to do so; but, at length, she stood towards us, and displayed her colours, which, with much emotion, we discovered to be those of our native land."

However, the worthy Doctor found an old friend on board her, in the employment of Government; and as the brig, which proved to be the "Amity," was bound to Melville Island, he determined on accompanying him in her, and parted from his companions in the long-boat, which had conveyed them all in safety a distance of more than thirteen hundred miles in the space of less than fifteen days. We have here a tolerable proof of the necessity of every vessel having boats sufficient to carry her crew. Had not the Governor Ready been provided in this respect, it is more than probable that no one would have been saved.

Let those who complain of the confinement of a ship, conceive the author's feelings when he says, "It is impossible for any person, not having undergone the same confinement, to imagine the pleasure derived from being able to stretch the limbs, even on a brig's deck;"-such creatures are we of circumstances, and so completely do all our enjoyments depend on comparison for their real value.

Bad weather coming on, and the Amity proving leaky, determined her captain to return to Coupang harbour immediately, which gave Dr. Wilson an opportunity of seeing his companions in adversity once more, and shortly after the satisfaction of witnessing the safe arrival of the skiff, after having encountered her share of peril and dauger. But we have arrived at our limits, and have as yet accompanied the author through the first pages only of his work. It is one, however, not to be parted with easily; and we shall leave the worthy Doctor at Coupang until our next, and close our present notice with a wellmerited tribute to Captain Young, the commander of the Governor Ready,-NO. 46.-VOL. IV. 5 c

Not only was he free from all blame in the loss of the vessel, but the respect entertained for him by the crew was mainly instrumental in saving their lives. He took his share in the astronomical observations at all times; and Dr.Wilson bears the testimony, that he "paid uncommon attention to the navigation of the ship, far more so, indeed, than is usual with the generality of masters of merchant vessels."

SERVICE AFLOAT, OR THE OFFICER'S MANUAL. For every grade employed in H. M. ships, from the Volunteer of the First Class to the Captain of the Fleet. By CAPTAIN WILLIAM GLASCOCK, R.N. Saunders and Otley. Price £1. 1s.

VERILY the rising generation of our naval officers should be expert tacticians. While distant from their native land, they are picking up their professional knowledge in the wide field of the ocean, and daily accumulating their store from the observation of passing events at sea; here are little volumes awaiting their return to port, rich in nautic lore, enabling them to compare their own with the experience of those who have gone before them, and on the proper method of performing their numerous and difficult duties, offering them facts well worth their knowing. But it is easy to foretell that some for whom this work is intended will be satisfied if they never see it-that others will lay it aside, contented with what they may already know without its assistance-and that others, who may be well versed in most of the subjects it treats on, will, nevertheless, read it with avidity, and, not above taking a hint from any experienced officer, on points of a profession in which there is so much diversity of opinion as that of the sea, will carefully examine its contents. But there are still others, to whom this work will be invaluable. We allude to those who are entering the naval service. To the boy from school, who, placed on the quarter-deck, has to imbibe the rules of his profession from example and precept, it will be a most desirable acquisition, laying before him, as it does, not only the leading points of his own duties, but those of every officer about him. Assuredly Capt. Glascock deserves well of the profession he has thus befriended; to say nothing of the immense labour of the task, the extent of knowledge necessary to its performance, the difficulty arising from different opinions that lay in his way, and in defining the duties of the senior officers of his profession ;-in spite of these obstacles, he has produced a most important work, and the only one of its kind that we have yet met with. We have at present no space to discuss some of the subjects on which it treats, and which, for "auld lang syne," we are well inclined to do, as far as a hasty glance would enable us; not that we are disposed to quarrel with either the "Practical Hints" or the "General Directions," which the gallant author has given so plentifully, although we could wish occasionally to have seen them extended. In some former numbers of the Nautical Magazine we have taken upon ourselves to give some of the latter to lads going to sea, and to which we can still refer them with feelings of satisfaction, and with equal satisfaction can we refer them for the former to the " Officer's Manual." But we shall take a future opportunity of introducing to our readers some extracts from this work, assuring them in the mean time that as it embraces the various duties of every executive officer in H. M. ships, it has peculiar claims to their notice, and that, although intended for the officers of the naval profession, the practical hints in it are no less worthy the attention of those of the merchant service.

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