tugal; she had orders to put into Falmouth to take on board Mr. Grant, the Secretary of Legation to the Embassy, and convey him to Lisbon. The Jupiter troop-ship, commanded by Mr. Easto, arrived on the 7th of November, from the Isle of France, which place she quitted on the 11th of August, leaving H.M.S. Talbot there. Vice-Admiral Sir John Gore, in the Melville, had sailed for Bombay about ten days previous. Everything was very quiet, and through the judicious arrangements of Major-Gen. Sir W. Nicolay, the excitement among the planters had been allayed. The Jupiter brought home upwards of 200 of the 82d regt., under the command of Major Marshall, from Ceylon, and several invalid officers and seamen from the men-of-war in the East Indies. She has come into harbour to be refitted for service. The detachment of the 82d regt. are occupying part of the Royal Marine barracks until a transport arrives to convey them to Leith, the head-quarters of the regiment being in Edinburgh. The Catherine Stuart, Forbes, private ship, put in here from the eastward to embark Major-General Sir B. D'Urban and his staff, for conveyance to the Cape of Good Hope, and she sailed on the 13th. Sir John Herschell, the astronomer, and Capt. Macdonell, of the 62d, and their families, were passengers also. The Charybdis, Lieut. Crawford, arrived from the coast of Africa on Sunday. She was last from the Cape of Good Hope, having quitted Simon's Bay on the 6th of September. The Charybdis brought home Capt. Stow and the officers and crew of H.M.S. Badger, that vessel having been converted into a sheer hulk at the Cape. The Commander-in-chief, RearAdmiral Warren, had his flag flying in the Britomart, the Isis being on a cruize. The Pelorus was daily expected at the Cape; and on her arrival the Britomart was to go to Ascension and Sierra Leone. The Charybdis, having so many supernumeraries on board, was compelled to touch for supplies of water at St. Helena, Ascension, and St. Jago, Cape de Verds; at the latter place the flag of Donna Maria was displayed, and all parties appeared enthusiastic in her favour. It is reported that Lieut. Crawford is to be brought to court martial on charges preferred by the Master. Some considerable change has taken place in the troops of this garrison during the last month. The 22d regiment were expected from Plymouth, but the depôt of the 87th Royal Irish Fuzileers have been sent up instead, being brought hither in H. M. steam-ship Salamander, and are for the present in Fort Cumberland. The depots of the 65th, 77th, and 97th have arrived in H. M. S. Romney from Cork, and been landed at Gosport, and that vessel is expected to convey the depôt of the 7th Fuzileers to Dublin, and the depôts of the 51st and 94th will go to Cork in H. M. S. Jupiter, so soon as she is refitted. The customary quarterly inspection of the Portsmouth division of Marines took place on the 8th inst., by Major-General Sir J. Cockburn. As this division is always in the most effective state for service, Sir James could only reiterate his praise of their appearance, &c. It is a great pity, however, some of the old officers are not allowed to sell their commissions, or presented with their retirement. When we see subalterns of upwards of twenty-four years' standing in the corps, and approaching to fifty years of age, the natural conclusion to be drawn is, that very many of the fieldofficers and captains are approximating to three score years; and it is, therefore high time that something should be done to keep the corps supplied with effective officers. It is currently given out that several of the field-officers will be permitted to sell; that the office of pay-captain at the several divisions be abolished, and about two dozen of the senior subalterns made second-captains, like the Royal Artillery. These arrangements would be of most material benefit. Captain Manby, of the Royal Navy, the introducer of the life-preserver on the English coast, has been here for some days, and last week tried in the dock-yard an apparatus, which he has invented, for extinguishing fire. The result was very satisfactory as far as it went. It was considered that it might be advantageous in places where a fire-engine is not handy, particularly in country districts, and provided it is not complicated and expensive the latter did not transpire. As to introducing it on board menof-war, the present engine and fire-bucket is more useful, and better adapted to the capacity of the officers and crew, from their familiarity and simplicity. The description of this apparatus is too long for me to insert; and I doubt if many of your readers would be interested even if I were to do so. The troops at present in Portsmouth and Gosport consist of the depôts and detachments of the following regiments:-7th, 51st, 65th, 77th, 82d, 84th, 86th, 87th, 94th, and 97th. The men-of-war in the port are the Victory, flag-ship; Edinburgh, 74, Capt. Dacres; Blonde, 46, Capt. Mason, C.B.; Sparrowhawk, 16, Commander C. Pearson-just commissioned; Favourite, Commander Mundy, very nearly ready for sea, and going up the Mediterranean; Lynx, Lieut. Huntley, for the coast of Africa; Charybdis, Lieut. Crawford, just returned from thence; and the Jupiter, troop-ship. The following mates and midshipmen of His Majesty's Fleet have passed the mathematical examination for lieutenant, since those inserted in your October Journal: : Alexander Hope G. A. Ellerman F. W. Merewether W. N. Russell T. Baillie Benj. Sharpe B. A. Wake Robert Synge H. A. Storey Effendi Abdel Kerim, an Egyptian, serving as mate on board H.M.S. Favourite. P. Milford Haven. THE monthly report from this station has less intelligence than usual, as little has occurred worthy of remark. The Firebrand, steam-yacht, commanded by Lieutenant Buchanan, R. N., which has been for some time in attendance upon the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, at Kingstown, near Dublin, was lately sent off in great haste to Waterford, to preserve the peace of the river Suir, several of the unruly Kilkenny boatmen having combined to prevent merchant vessels proceeding higher than the bridge at Waterford, by which means they hope to monopolize the carrying trade between that city and Carrick. Government, however, do not seem disposed to acquiesce in this club-law of the Irish bargemen; and accordingly the Firebrand was despatched from Kingstown to act as guard vessel above Waterford Bridge. There not being, however, sufficient depth of water for her to proceed beyond the city, Lieut. Buchanan moored her near the bridge, and keeps his boats rowing guard nightly, to prevent outrage. This service, as may be imagined, is extremely harassing, the Firebrand having but sixteen seamen, and there being, perhaps, seven hundred rioters to keep in order. There seems to be considerable doubt, whether the Firebrand will be kept much longer as a Vice-regal yacht upon the Irish station, as there appears to be no necessity for such an expensive plaything being attached to Lord Wellesley's establishment. Should her removal take place, she will probably be converted into a Mediterranean packet, and be stationed at Falmouth. The Dove revenue cutter, commanded by Lieutenant Abraham Darby, R.N., has been removed back to her old station at Penzance; and the Skylark revenue cutter, commanded by Lieutenant Connor, R.N., returns from the Penzance to the Milford station. It is reported that the recent order issued by the Admiralty, commanding all naval officers employed in dock-yards to wear their proper uniforms, had its origin in some misunderstanding between Sir James Graham and the Captain-Superintendent of a Royal Dock-yard, who, being in the constant habit of wearing a rough blue jacket, appeared before the First Lord in that unceremonious costume,-alleging, in excuse, the example set by Sir James himself, who usually visits the naval arsenals in a similar dress. There is, however, this difference in the two cases, namely, that Sir James Graham has express permission from the First Lord of the Admiralty to appear in any attire he may think proper upon such occasions, a privilege which has not been granted to the Captain-Superintendents. William Harvey Hooper, Esq., Purser, R.N., and Secretary to Greenwich Hospital, whose death has just been announced in the newspapers, was with Parry in all his polar voyages; and being naturally of a pious disposition, like his excellent commander, he cheerfully undertook the superintendence of the school, established during the long polar winter, for the instruction and amusement of the seamen. To the hour of his lamented death, Mr. Hooper continued to receive letters from some of the adult pupils whom he had taught to read and write, expressing strongly their gratitude for being enabled to peruse the word of God, through the instrumentality of their worthy teacher. Lord Melville was so highly gratified by Sir Edward Parry's testimony of Mr. Hooper's conduct, that he first gave him an appointment to the Quarantine Establishment at Milford; and afterwards removed him to the Secretaryship of Greenwich Hospital, where he soon won the good will of Sir Richard Keats, by his steady and upright conduct. With a constitution originally delicate, he was but ill suited to contend against the rigour of a polar climate. Soon after he left Milford, being sent into Northumberland to inspect the Greenwich Hospital estates, he became alarmingly ill, with a cough that defied every remedy. He was finally removed into Devonshire for a milder climate, but death soon struck his victim; and this exemplary man has gone to receive the reward of a well-spent life, in that land "where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." Peace to his manes ! Sheerness, Nov. 20th, 1833. MR. EDITOR, The naval occurrences at this port during the month have been as follows:-On the 3d instant, his Majesty's steam-vessel Dee, Commander Edward Stanley, (acting in the absence of Commander Oliver, on leave,) arrived at Sheerness, and passed on for Chatham. On the 4th, she returned with the Queen, convict-ship, in tow, and proceeded with her to Woolwich. On the 5th, the same steamer again returned to Chatham, to be paid off, all standing, and recommissioned for service at sea. On the night of the 4th, at about 11 o'clock, a vessel was discovered to be on fire, near the Nore Light; and although immediate assistance was sent out to her by the boats of the flag-ship and of the dock-yard, the fiery elements could not be got under until daybreak, when she was burnt to the water's edge, and finally went down. No discovery has been made as to the origin of the fire; but we hear she was the Paragon, of Stockton, with a cargo of hams, butter, &c., bound to London. On the 6th, the Cruizer, 16, Commander M'Causland, proceeded to the Little Nore, and her crew were paid the usual wages in advance, when they liberally subscribed towards that excellent establishment, the Seamen's Hospital Ship, in the river. She sailed thence on Sunday the 10th, for the West Indies, with despatches for Vice-Admiral Sir George Cockburn, Commander-in-chief on that station. The Cruizer has since put in at Plymouth, to make good some small defects, before proceeding to her final destination. On the 7th, the Salamander, steam-vessel, Commander Austin, lying at Sheerness, proceeded to the Nore, and towed the Mountaineer, freight-ship, to Chatham; the next day she returned to this port, but was immediately ordered to convey troops from Chatham to Jersey. After having, on the 11th, embarked the depôt companies of the 1st battalion of the Rifle Brigade, she proceeded to Jersey, whence she took the depôt of the 73d regiment to Dover. She arrived at the latter place on the 15th, and has since returned with the 2d batt. of the Rifles from Dover. On the 8th Nov. the Dee steamvessel, was paid off at Chatham, and on the following day, she, the Phoenix, and Jaseur, were commissioned; the two former at Chatham, by Commanders Stanley and Oliver; and the latter at Sheerness, by Commander John Hackett. On the 19th, the Hermes, steam-vessel, Lieut. Wright, arrived at this port, with some volunteers for his Majesty's ship Thunderer, 84, Capt. Wise, C.B.; and on the following day proceeded to Woolwich, to undergo a thorough repair. We have now the following ships in the Medway: the Chatham, yacht, Capt. Sir James A. Gordon, K.C.B.; the Phoenix, new steam-vessel, Commander R. Oliver (b); and the Dee, Commander E. Stanley, at Chatham; and the Ocean, 80 (flag-ship); the Thunderer, 84; and Jaseur, 16, fitting out at Sheerness. It is generally reported here, that the Howe, 120, and Hercules, 74, are to be commissioned, but this rumour wants confirmation. I am, Sir, Your humble servant, BETA. St. Helena, Aug. 24, 1833. MR. EDITOR,-Pro bono publico, I think it but fair to bring to general notice, through the instrumentality of your widely-circulated Journal, an old and absurd custom of stopping vessels of all nations entering this port. On approaching a battery called Banks's, a blank gun is fired, to notify that a boat must be sent to communicate; if this signal be disregarded, a shot is fired a-head, and repeated till the ship heaves to. As St. Helena lies in the trade winds, and a rapid current constantly prevails from the south-east, the poor stranger (often greatly in want of refreshments) falls to leeward, and either gains the anchorage after much exertion, or is compelled to continue her voyage from an utter inability to reach the harbour. It frequently happens too, that when a ship sends a boat, the latter is in such a leaky state, from exposure to the sun during a long voyage, that when she arrives near the battery she is almost sinking, and by the time she returns to the vessel is nearly swamped, and the crew so much exhausted from baling out the water, that it is with great difficulty they regain their ship. Indeed, I remember one instance of a boat being absolutely under water, and her men swimming about until rescued from an untimely death by assistance from the vessel. No ship is admitted to the anchorage after sunset; she has, therefore, the disagreeable alternative of beating to windward all night; and if the captain chances to be unacquainted with the strong currents off the island, ten to one but he will go to leeward. To confirm this remark, I have known vessels (which could otherwise have got into the bay in half-an-hour) to be two days before they came to anchor. The number of ships which annually visit our island, is about four hundred; and that number of blank cartridges, and a great many shot, are unnecessarily expended. For English ships, this expense is borne by the East India Company; but foreigners are compelled to pay for every pound of powder and shot wasted on their account. I am thus prolix on this subject, from the conviction that there is no occasion for all this inconvenience and annoyance to shipping; and I am confident that the grievance requires only to be known at the India House to meet redress. The agricultural and commercial interests of the community suffer materially from ships being frightened away in the manner above alluded to, and I have frequently seen vessels (when fired at on rounding the point) up helm, and indignantly dash away. To conclude these strictures on the inhospitable reception given to our sea-faring fellow creatures, I cannot avoid amusing you with the following incident. About the time that the throne of France was vacated by the Bourbons, a laughable scene occurred here; a French merchant ship was rapidly nearing the shore, when the startling gun was fired from the formidable battery. The poor, astonished, and terrified skipper doused his white flag, and up went the tri-coloured one in its place. Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur cum illis." I remain, Mr. Editor, Your obedient servant, A WELLWISHER TO SEAMEN. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE UNITED SERVICE JOURNAL. Grievances of a Veteran. MR. EDITOR,-I entered the army in the year 1802, by the purchase of an Ensigncy in the ***** regiment, and I thus have served my country upwards of thirty years as a commissioned officer; yet my present rank, which I have held these twenty years, is merely that of a humble Captain of Foot. Alas! I was not begotten by a lord or a banker, and thus I have had neither interest nor money to push me on; and consequently, the leap-frog jumpings that have taken place over my head, were they to be related to military men of the continental armies, could, indeed, not possibly be believed by them. When I entered the service, the regiment I was appointed to had two battalions, and in that regiment I obtained my present rank; but was reduced after the peace, upon the disbandment of the second battalions. However, after some lapse of time, I was re-appointed to the *****, wherein I now serve. Seven Ensigns in one run, and ten Lieutenants, purchased over me in my first regiment; and six Captains have. in like manner, jumped over my head as Majors in my present corps. Of the two Majors now in the regiment, one entered the army when I was already a Captain of some years' standing; and the other was then "puking in his nurse's arms; for he is at this moment not above twenty-five years of age. But such is the British Service,-and I am by no means a solitary example of its parental tenderness for the welfare of its senior sons and operative classes. I now have to state to you, Mr. Editor, and I state it with becoming pride, that I have, indeed, been an operative soldier of all works, and not at any time a depôt, or as it is now called, a reserve, or rather preserve man. And although I have no medal on my breast, for I am not a Waterloo-man,— yet in the record of my past services, appear the names of Copenhagen, Corunna, Talavera, Busaco, Salamanca, Vittoria, the Pyrenees, and Toulouse, where, in the hour of deadly havoc, I can say that I behaved like a Briton; and, believe me, Mr. Editor, there was as little of joking in those bloody field days as there was at Waterloo; and let me tell whom it may |