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takes up the ground, to point out any peculiar features in the probable line of action; and this is evident, when we consider that a corps, and especially one of cavalry, is frequently moved up and ordered to take part in a battle, when no time can be allowed for reconnoissance, and where the best hopes of success would be lost by a moment's delay. Had the Greys reconnoitred the ground when they made that gallant and decisive charge against D'Erlon's corps at Waterloo? It is well known that they were ignorant as to what they were charging, yet Ponsonby's brigade by their charge also contributed greatly to the security of the position. The position at Talavera was, at least, equally threatened by two French corps, yet the charge which paralyzed the attack has been judged ill-advised and rash. The 23rd had no share in the motives which led to the order to charge, they received the order and obeyed it; Seymour aud Ponsonby did their duty, and did it well; these officers had no desire to "kill their young men," but relying on the Commander-in-Chief as to the expediency of his orders, they allowed no obstacles to impede them. We truly think that the 23rd may challenge the world to produce an instance of greater effect produced on a well-disciplined enemy by so small a body of men.

The only parallel which occurs to us is the charge of the Polish Lancers at Somosierra, which Napoleon probably ordered under a chivalrous excitement, risking most unfairly the brave lancers, who would have been destroyed had a single Spanish regiment kept their ground; and this dangerous measure was adopted most gratuitously, when there were large corps of infantry at hand. We hear nothing in the French accounts of ill-advised attacks. The Emperor did not consider such language likely to edify the chivalry of his dragoons; he covered them with glory. We pursued another course, and the above and another instance of unjust censure had a very bad effect on the spirit of the British cavalry. We do not believe that Napoleon would have thanked Arenchild for the fruits of his forty years' experience; that officer probably did what he considered his duty, and he had many other opportunities of evincing his valour and skill. We would be among the last to derogate from the merit of that gallant veteran; but on this occasion, we must give undivided praise to Ponsonby and his people, who gave a different interpretation to the order. We have little hope of reclaiming any slanderer of the British cavalry, who, it appears, are generally accused of charging too much or too little.* In the arrangements of the army, it unfortunately happened that the 23rd was soon afterwards sent home.

The French cavalry, although so vastly superior in number, appear to have taken no active share in the battle.

U. S. JOURN. No. 30. MAY, 1831.

F

YACHT CLUBS AND REGATTAS.

THE History of Naval Architecture has not, since the commencement of our commercial greatness, manifested so many decisive proofs of masterly research as it has within the last half-century. It has been allowed to occupy that distinguished place which it has so long and justly deserved, as a science of the utmost possible importance to a maritime people,-while its principles have been studied and professed by men well known in the naval circles for their scientific acquirements and their recondite learning. Within this limited period, not only have the most valuable improvements been effected in the construction, speed, and general equipment of our naval force, but men, who from early life have been attaining, in actual service, a practical knowledge of their profession, have been encouraged to communicate to their country the result of their experience. The situation of England, the unparalleled glory of her victories, the success and the extent of her commerce, all tend to prove that the pride and the honour, the welfare and the prosperity of the nation, depend materially on the practical efficiency of her navy. We have been led into these remarks on considering the progress and prospects of the Yacht Clubs, and as the time is not far distant when the squadrons of these little navies will be preparing for their annual expeditions, and for the great festivals connected with them, we propose to devote a few pages to a brief inquiry into the actual merits and utility of these institutions. There are, we believe, few seamen of judgment and experience who have not admired the beautiful vessels of the "Experimental Squadron," and no one, we imagine, will say that those built subsequently on the plans of different officers, as well as those now constructing in the public yards under their superintendence, do not at the same time confer honour on the service to which they belong, and hold out a cheering prospect of future and incalculable benefit. We sincerely trust, that the different naval administrations will readily encourage every such developement of talent, that they will afford our heroes every possible opportunity of ascertaining in the dock-yards the comparative value and utility of any improvement that may suggest itself to their observation, and that they will promote the ends of science by honouring these manifestations of research with their immediate support and patronage.

But while this laudable spirit of amendment has been sensibly spreading in the public service, the zealous superintendents of the private yards have evidently kept pace with the progress of improvements. To effect this object, the Yacht Clubs have afforded them abundant opportunities of acquiring knowledge, and of applying the results of their practice to the advancement of a great public cause; for the improvement of naval architecture is unquestionably a public cause of the utmost magnitude, and we know no measure so calculated to promote the enlightened views of the scientific members of our navy as the establishment of Yacht Clubs. On these grounds, especially, do we advocate their general encouragement. There are, we are convinced, few seamen who are not familiar with the splendid models of many vessels of the Royal Yacht Club, and every succeeding year brings us fresh proofs of some important advantage gained either in

construction or in speed. The Royal Yacht Club is supported by noblemen and gentlemen of the first rank and opulence, and consequently no expense is spared in the equipment of their vessels. The pride of the club, this year, may probably be beaten next season by a new competitor, built purposely to oppose her; and what one gains at one period by superior speed, is done away at the succeeding contest, by another more decisive and important improvement. Hence, it must be evident that a continual emulation is excited among all classes, from the opulent proprietor to the practical artisan,-and the beneficial results of this praiseworthy rivalry are far too obvious to require any comment. That these advantages were fully foreseen by the promoters of Yacht Clubs, there can be little doubt; they could not have been ignorant that, in establishing on a permanent and regular scale a society so characteristic of this nation, they were effecting a gradual but marked benefit for the country at large. But this is neither a question of taste nor opinion,-if we appeal to facts which cannot be misunderstood, we see the measure supported by the first naval heroes of the day, by men who are regarded by the public as the brightest ornaments of our annals of maritime achievement. That these men are more qualified than any other body to decide on the advantages of such institutions, is a proposition which it requires no reasoning to demonstrate, and their names would certainly not be enrolled on the list of the Honorary Members of the Royal Yacht Club of Cowes, if they thought these clubs of no public utility. We have, however, the distinguished authority of one of our most experienced officers, who has served most actively in the fleet of this country; who has shared the perils of those whose home is on the waters; who has given additional lustre to that national banner under which he sailed, and whose name is identified with the British seaman ;-we say it with pride-with that pride which the circumstance must always excite in the mind of an Englishman, that the Royal Yacht Club of England is honoured with the exalted patronage of King William the Fourth.

But it must not be considered that the encouragement of naval architecture is the only advantage effected by the yacht clubs; money, in consequence of their establishment, is extensively circulated in the commercial world; while trade, more especially that connected with shipbuilding and the equipment of vessels, is excited and supported. In a time of war also, the advantage of commanding the services of a well-disciplined and orderly body of seamen, such as is employed in the clubs, must be allowed to be incalculable by all who understand the machinery of naval governments. We have, therefore, seen that the merits of Yacht Clubs are great and important, and that they are entitled to the cordial and consistent support of the British people.

We have now to discuss the utility of Regattas. We are fully aware that on this subject there exists a great diversity of opinion;-the regatta has been decried as an idle amusement, interesting only to those concerned, and it has been asserted that its observance is a waste of time and of money. This certainly appears to us a very narrow view of the question; if regattas were discontinued, it is by no means probable that the proprietors of yachts would reject altogether the establishment of a contest among themselves to determine the comparative

merits of their several vessels, and to excite a degree of emulation among their seamen. Now, we would ask, why should not the public take a part in the festival? why should a commercial people withhold their tribute of support from an amusement so characteristic of the national taste? Who is there who has witnessed a regatta, such as that annually observed at Cowes, at Plymouth, at Belfast, or in the Bay of Dublin, (for we speak only of those conducted on a liberal and extensive scale,)-who is there, we repeat, who has witnessed that impressive scene, and not felt his heart expand, when the conquering hero of the wave returned, greeted with the applauding cheers of the beholders, and welcomed to the shore by music? The competition of a boat-race is precisely what is required to fulfil the intentions of the advocates of yacht clubs, and even if they were recommended by no other circumstance than the emulation and pleasure excited among the seamen of the vessels themselves, we should consider their claim on public notice fully established. Is the sailor who has fought his country's battles to have no season of relaxation from toil? Is the nursling of the storm" to be denied even this gratification, so congenial to his feelings and so appropriate to his calling? We are not, on the other hand, unmindful that the measure has been condemned as inimical to the interests of morality. We despise such sophistry. Are labour and toil for ever to be the portions of the children of men? Is rational pleasure prohibited by the fundamental laws of moral philosophy? Away," to use the words of an eloquent modern writer, away with this sullen, this morose, this unnatural philosophy, if it deserve the name, which would pluck every flower from the thorny wreath of mortal destiny; which, with presumptuous hand, would tear from creation the resplendent robe with which the Deity Himself has invested her, and cry shame on the very sun as he pursues his course in triumph through the heavens."

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In whatever point of view we examine the measure, either as the means of exciting emulation in the yacht clubs, as a national festival, or as the grand holiday of the seamen, we are more and more convinced of its public utility. We call, therefore, on the people, and on our naval heroes, to support these pursuits in every possible way; and we earnestly recommend them to establish regatta clubs in different parts of the kingdom, which will ensure a repetition of the festival, and provide the necessary funds by a less fluctuating method than public subscription, which must cease with the period prescribed and the object specified.* By these means we may venture to affirm that the country will reap much and valuable benefit, and learn to entertain a proper and legitimate value for the interests of that navy, which numbers among its heroes the names of Howe, Rodney, and Nelson. O. B.

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A club of this description has been established at Plymouth, chiefly through the indefatigable exertions of Capt. William Brooking Dolling, R.N., R.Y.C., to whom, it is but just to say, the advocates of these pursuits owe a deep obligation, for his assiduous and patriotic zeal in behalf of this important national cause. club is under the immediate patronage of His Majesty, and is supported not only by the most opulent residents and the naval and military officers in the neighbourhood, but by the noblemen and other influential individuals in different parts of the county.

LANCERS AND LIGHT DRAGOONS.

THE observations on Light Cavalry in the Field, by the officer who signs himself Vanguard in the United Service Journal for April, are full of such good sense, and are written in such a candid and liberal spirit, that they have deservedly attracted the attention of all officers of the cavalry who are readers of that well conducted publication. From several of his terms and expressions, however, it may be inferred that Vanguard is an infantry officer, and though he seems extremely conversant with the nature of the duties of cavalry in the field, still he is in error as to some points, on which, to judge from his candour, he will not disdain to be set right. In the first place, he really is quite mistaken in supposing that the fashion of mounting our light cavalry upon very slight horses any longer exists; on the contrary, it has been, and is the earnest endeavour of both the late and present Inspector, as well as of the Lieutenant-Colonels of the light cavalry, to obtain the strongest horses that the Government allowance can procure, which allowance is the very same both in light and heavy cavalry. A good judge of horses would probably pronounce those of the 9th Lancers and 8th Hussars, for instance, to be as strong and serviceable animals as can be wanted for any description of service.

Then, as to the fire-arms of the cavalry, it is very true that hitherto they have not been, until of late years, considered enough as to their quality or weight. The light-dragoon carbine was certainly an inefficient weapon, and had also the fault of a bore which admitted of no bullet except those expressly intended for it, a great disadvantage when employed in front of the army. The carbine of the heavy cavalry was again a still more inferior weapon, with a loose ramrod, not secured in any way to the piece, or to any part of the man's accoutrements, so that, at common field days, nothing was more common than for the soldiers to drop and lose their ramrods altogether. There was also the appendage of a bayonet to the heavy-dragoon carbine, than which a more useless accompaniment to a weapon already very weighty and awkward, could hardly have been imagined. As heavy cavalry, if strictly considered as such, are less liable to be employed at the outposts than the light, one does not see either for what possible reason they were to have a heavier carbine than the others, because it is natural to infer that the carbine which carries sufficiently far to be formidable at the outposts, must be equally fit for the very few occasions where cavalry could be liable to use it elsewhere. All these points, however, were brought under the consideration of the authorities more than a year ago. Several pattern carbines were made by the best gunsmiths; a great many experienced officers, and even old private soldiers, (opinions never to be despised,) were consulted upon the details of all that regards the efficiency of the weapon; and a series of very satisfactory trials was made with the utmost exactness and patience, under the direction of the Ordnance Department, who decided upon a carbine which had the merit of carrying full as far as the French one, was much more handy and convenient, and was constructed upon superior principles, as regards the quality and durability of the lock. To have issued a complete supply of these new carbines to the cavalry in time of peace would have been a neediess waste of public money; but

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