for their great and providential deliverance. Indeed, from first to last, there is more of a religious spirit mixed up with the events of the narrative than we remember to have read of in any similar catastrophe. In particular, the letters of gratitude from the officers of the 31st regiment and the private passen. gers to Captain Cook and Captain Cobb; Colonel Fearon's letter on behalf of himself and officers to the Falmouth Committee; and Captain Cook's reply; are marked by a strain of truly Christian sentiment, incomparably more scriptural and affecting than the usual commonplaces on such occasions. The coldest heart, the most sceptical mind, could not indeed fail to have paid some passing acknowledgment to "Divine Providence for such a deliverance; but we are pleased at witnessing in the religious allusions in all these communications far more than this barren homage; and if we may take these documents

as indicative of a widely extended feeling, we have ample reason to be grateful to God for the great progress which true religion is evidently making, with whatever painful drawbacks, among all classes of our fellow-subjects; and for which, to quote the words of Captain Cook, "we shall not cease to offer up our grateful acknowledgments at the Throne of Grace."

We must not omit to add, in conclusion, that the East-India Company, the Commander-in-Chief, and other public bodies, have united in testifying their admiration and gratitude for the highly honourable conduct of Captain Cook, his passengers, and crew; and various pe. cuniary and other rewards have been conferred upon them. Their best reward is the pleasing consciousness of the signal benefits which they have been the instruments in the hands of God of conferring upon their fellow-creatures.

WE most readily insert the following candid and conciliating remarks of Admiral Sir C. Penrose, in reply to some passages in our review of his pamphlet in our last Number. Most honourable would it be to individuals, and most beneficial to society, if all discussions which involve difference of opinion were conducted with the truly Christian courtesy and ingenuousness which characterize the communication of

this gallant and venerable writer. We do not think that his reply affects the substance of our argument; but as it "tend to usemay ful elucidation," while it does honour to the writer, we record it in our -pages, with the addition of a few running notes, leaving the general balance between the gallant admiral and ourselves to be adjusted by our readers. We must not, however,

rence or the contrary, I beg leave also to notice a few points, on which I am desirous of being clearly understood, or which may tend to useful elucidation.

Though very averse to appear again before the public, yet the zeal you have evinced on a very interesting subject, which is so much and so variously agitated, and, in my opinion, so little understood, almost compels me to address you. You will, I am certain, consider it right, when we feel what is desirable, to take into consideration also what is practicable*, and the contents of your columns are important, as they will guide the opinions of so

many.

I think it right to premise, that I have possessed and perused your valuable work from its first Number: the gradual accumulation of your columns in my library, forms a range as highly prized as any on its shelves; and I have sometimes been flattered by your admission of some of my observations on passing subjects. Our principles, therefore, cannot be at variance; and if we differ on any point, I flatter myself, that it arises only from our seeing the object in, or from, a different point of view.

I am aware of the danger, when writing to a Christian Observer, that slips of the pen may possibly subject me to a charge of making principle subservient to practice, unless a previous charitable impression is formed. Aware how the term "morals" might be differently understood by different people, I explained in my pamphlet briefly, but I

We are happy to learn from Sir C. Penrose's own pamphlet, that the prompt and total abolition of one at least of the three evils complained of, the admission of immoral females on board, is perfectly "practicable." We continue to think the same of the other two; indeed as respects impressment (except in a few emergencies) our author appears to agree with us, that it might be, and ought to be abolished; though he modestly concludes, that as the proper authorities have not abolished it, its retention, for reasons which he cannot divine, is necessary.

trust distinctly, how I wished it to be understood when used by me; namely, Christian practice from Christian motives. I now request you to do me the justice to believe*, that, keeping in view these great moral principles, my desire is to make all practice harmonize with them as quickly and as perfectly as human nature and human means will allow these principles to act; happy if we can approximate uniformly without any retrograde movement, or the incurring a greater evil in the removal of a lesser.

In-page 362 you say, that I have seen fit to refer to your publication, and to blame you for your former remarks relative to the third point noticed in my observations. I do not recollect having found fault with your remarks, which I deem perfectly consistent with your plea of duty and utility in page 369. I thought, and still think, that the zealous advocate for the wished-for reform, had not used the properest means of attaining the desired end; and my regret was, that your very generally extended publication should have made, what I deemed that writer's errors, more publicly prejudicial to the character of the naval service.

I admit that my long professional career may have engendered habitual modes of thinking, which may be considered as professional prejudices; but in forming such habits, the bias of which I have lived too long not to observe in others, and to allow may also influence myself, I have gained a considerable degree of experience, which may excuse my obtruding my opinions.

I allow, as a general principle, "that the reform of any community must ordinarily come from without;" yet I am sure you will admit from without should be intimately on your part, that those who reform acquainted with the nature and ex

We certainly do the author the full "justice to believe" that such was his wish and intention; and we endeavoured most explicitly to state this in our review.

tent of the errors which exist within, and that with respect both to causes and effects. To the honour of my profession however, I may state, that the very extensive reform which has of late marked its progress, has originated and been so far perfected from within. The operative and executive departments have been equally alert; the former vigi⚫lant in detecting errors, and suggest ing improvements; the latter prompt, liberal, and judicious, in banishing the defects from, and incorporating the amendments into, the system.

I will also venture to assure you, sir, that the practical regulations of a ship of war, to be understood, must be practically known; for you have on shore nothing wherewith any comparison can be formed, or which can usefully aid the comprehension: of course, no subject is so little understood by a landsman. As an inexperienced eye may deem that a blemish in a work of art, which in the eye of science may be known as an excellence; so may honest zeal, labouring in ignorance, fall into as great an error, in the attempt to reform a community, without being minutely acquainted with all its principles and practices, and their mutual and relative bearings *.

In page 364, you allude to a proposition of reform which has been made in the House of Commons, respecting impressment and arbi

We admit the truth of these observations, so far as they relate to every thing technical and professional; but of moral principles, an exoteric may judge, as well as the initiated, and it was to the application of these that we chiefly confined our remarks. If impressment be inevitably an act of injustice, and the admission of "lewd women" on board our vessels a gross immorality; no induction of professional experience can sanction the practice. And even with regard to "starting" and "flogging," knowing that human nature is the same afloat as on shore, we see not why a landsman may not form as accurate an opinion respecting their propriety as a seaman. At least he has not to contend with that prejudice in favour of the practice which arises from having both administered it, and experienced its unquestionable efficacy, when cautiously applied, in maintaining discipline.

trary flogging. There have been propositions made in that House, and much declaiming elsewhere, and there are threats of future propositions, by persons, who, however pure in their intentions, are, to the best of my honest and deliberate judgment, very deficient in the requisite knowledge, which could entitle them to be proper judges of the subject.

What these gentlemen cannot but know is, that there never was a period in which more earnest attention was paid by an able and zealous naval government, and by the officers of the navy, whether to its mechanical or moral state, than the present *. They must know, if they have inquired, and they are inexcusable if they have not so done, that the progressive improvement is rapid; yet they repose more confidence in their own comparative ignorance, (for such must unavoidably be the case,) than in the long tried experience and equal zeal of those who earnestly desire the same results, wherever they are practically attainable. Ilament this, Mr. Editor, because I believe that such indifference paralizes more useful efforts, andtends to foment discontent, where it otherwise would never have existed, and which in fact has no other origin. Excuse a little professional

* We expressly alluded several times in our review, with the utmost gratitude, both to our "able and zealous naval government," and to "the officers of the navy," as the authors of the great improvements which have taken place in the service; and we should deeply regret if, in pressing the importance of further ameliorations, we should appear insensible to the value of those which have been already adopted. We have heard, with great satisfaction, that the excellent Port-Admiral of Devonport, Sir James Saumarez, has given orders to limit the admission of females on board the ships under his controul to married women. But with still higher satisfaction have we witnessed the formation, under the patronage of the Admiralty, of a Society for establishing floating churches in every part of the kingdom. This is a measure eminently calculated to benefit our seamen, and most honourable to Lord Melville. An accouut of it will be found under the head of religious intelligence.

warmth, and it is all professional; but in truth some speeches, as I have seen them recorded, reminded me of Tom Paine's days, when his admirers, if a man was hardy enough to confess to them that he was contented and happy, very benevolently volunteered to prove to him, that he was in duty bound to be miserable *.

In page 363 you remark, that “a service is never truly liberal or just, till the employer can say with effect, If you do not do your duty, you shall lose your appointment. Is this the state of the navy?" It certainly is not so: including every description of persons, which compose its crews, and until such an improvement can be suggested and acted upon, as will admit of a fleet or a ship being managed without great deprivation and restraint, it never can be. A thousand men on a floating area of two hundred feet by fifty-five, requires some different government from that which may suit a mixed population of little more than two hundred in a square mile; and those who are only used to the latter, have much to learn as to the management of the former, Nature is against us: and it is a common expression among sailors, when talking of the tediousness of a long voyage, and a longing that it was at an end, "I was born on shore;" and it will be a long time before a return to that shore will be deemed a severe punishment by some parts of our crews. I have heard a well re

Far from accusing our correspondent of "warmth," we greatly admire his uniform candour; but the allusion to Paine's agents is somewhat out of place: for it is not landsmen who persuade our sailors that they are not perfectly "contented and happy," but their own officers would seem to intimate that they are not so, in proportion as impressment is alleged to be necessary for keeping up their numbers, or severe regulations to preserve discipline, or confinement to their ship, to prevent desertion. We are, however, as remote as our respected correspondent, from justifying those who, either in parliament or elsewhere, give vent to exaggerated and inflammatorystatements on this or any other

subject.

gulated ship of war defined as "the noblest work of man, directed by the noblest work of God;" still though it is man's greatest triumph. over natural impediments, it is but the work of man, and in all avocations on shore, the works of nature are more blended-men are where they were born: at sea, men wish to be where they were born. Even if means could be devised to substitute punishments in all respects better than those in use, to do away the necessity of impressment, and to make our crews as moral as can be hoped for, even then, I doubt whether your query could be answered affirmatively *.

There are many causes which prevent seamen from volunteering to ships of war in preference; but I do not believe that the fears of ill-, treatment, or the system of corpo-, ral punishment deter them. I be-, lieve I have stated fairly the circumstances which operated against the navy; but we have besides a con-, stant and powerful rival using every effort to keep volunteers from us. In peace we have indeed volunteers enough: we must therefore shortly look to a state of warfare. Merchant ships must be manned, as well as ships of war; if 5l. bounty is offered to volunteers for the navy, more must and will be offered for the merchant service. Whatever daily pay is given to naval seamen, it will be found that merchant seamen must have at least double, to prevent them volunteering into the

navy;

and so much more to coun

teract the hope of prize-money, the enjoyment of many advantages when on service, and the hope of a good pension when the service is

* Our author in this paragraph does not deny the truth of our statement; but doubts whether under any circumstances the service could be rendered "just and liberal" according to our notions of justice and liberality. It is, it seems, an unnatural mode of life, and must necessarily involve some degree of compulsion. But if so, how are the officers retained in the service, or how are merchants' ships

manned?

ended. Thus, the system of the two services out-bidding each other might be carried to a ruinous extent, and fail again at last, as it has done before *.

I will not conclude this part of my subject, without giving it as my firm opinion, that, generally speaking, the life of a seaman in a ship of war, is a much happier one than ⚫ that of a seaman in the merchant service. He has less labour, he is better fed, there is less irritation, there are more comforts, more decency of manners, and more attention shewn to the moral and religious duties +.

I am anxious to remark on a use you make of the quotation from my pamphlet, in your page 365. How far it was quite legitimate to make that use of it, I am not critic enough to determine; but as you allow that I introduced the anecdote "to il lustrate a technical question," you will be aware that if I had brought it forward for moral elucidation, some additional remarks would have accompanied it. I notice it particularly, as some of my readers may have known the officers alluded to; and I confidently assure you, that so far from the seamen running any added risk, had the power been vested in the admiral, he was the very last man in the world to have

We are at issue with the gallant admiral on the whole of this statement. The price of labour at sea could not rise permanently above that on land, except to that degree, be it what it may, in which naval employments are less desirable than those on shore; and this reasonable addition, if such an addition there be, ought not in fairness to be witheld. There are many employments far more irksome and unwholesome than that of a mariner for which there is no dearth of candidates, because the remuneration is graduated accordingly. If the wages of seamen rise above the level of other businesses, landsmen will soon flock on board ship, and reduce it to that level.

† We are most happy in perusing this gratifying statement; yet how, we would ask, is it, that under such circumstances the press-gang should be alleged to be necessary ? Are men in any other department of life accustomed thus blindly to refuse "good fortune ?"

CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 283,

inflicted punishment, without most strict inquiry, and most humane consideration. A hasty threat in a moment of disappointment and difficulty, probably of danger, to be warded only by dispatch and skill, may very possibly, as in this instance, fall from the mouth of a man whose heart was feelingly alive to the most benevolent sensations *.

Page 366. No man, I trust, exists, who will disagree in the opinion, that punishment should never be rashly inflicted. To punish rashly, I consider a much greater crime, than any which is likely to be brought before a captain's tribunal for punishment. I believe it is thought by many persons, that when a fault is committed, or supposed to be committed, it is usual for the captains of his Majesty's ships to be rash enough to order immediate corporal punishment, and that rashly both as to manner and degree. But as far as my experience goes, such is not the case. Evidences are fairly examined, and acted upon, so that "mercy tempers justice," and the time of infliction is marked by much solemnity +.

If by arbitrary is meant that discretion vested in the captain, to

This paragraph seems to us to make strongly in favour of our argument; for we have no doubt as to the "humane consideration" and "benevolent sensations" of the officer alluded to; but, a fortiori, if such a man could be provoked in a moment of disappointment and difficulty, probably of danger" (though, by the way, no such palliation appears in the narrative), to order a party of men, two only of whom were guilty, to be flogged, what must be the case where such power is consigned to less humane and considerate hands? Our author speaks of the command as "a hasty threat;" but in truth it was an official order, and the very point for which the incident is introduced in Sir C. Penrose's pamphlet, is in reference to a disputed question in the profession, whether the captain, even after the innocence of several of the party had been proved, could legally disobey it.

We do not for a moment think that it is "usual" with the officers of this honourable profession to be unjust or severe ; but why should not the possibility be as much as possible guarded against?

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