their friends, the éclat of the thing would be highly flattering to the feelings of the veterans, as well as an encouragement to their younger comrades. The strength of every machine must depend on the soundness and solidity of its component parts, and the efficiency of an army on the separate capabilities of the mass of individuals who compose it. It is the part of short-sighted presumption to consider as trifles things to which the most consummate generals have attached the highest importance. We are now at peace, and peace is the season for improvement. War admits of no delay. The selfishness which neglects the country's brave defenders in the hour of tranquillity is not more detestable than the negligence which overlooks them is reprehensible. The storm which lately threatened us has apparently blown over; yet we know not how soon the clouds may again collect. There has been, perhaps still exists, a rebellion in our colonies. Disaffection at home scarcely assumes the mask of plausibility. Jacobins of every grade and nation hate England as the only support of genuine liberty; despots dread her as the unflinching guardian of the world's welfare; sordid envy pines at her wellearned wealth, her greatness and glory, and would fain reduce her to the common level; treachery or infatuation at home affects to underrate her foreign possessions-the very mainspring of her power: those colonies, acquired at the expense of so much British blood, as they have been gained so must they be maintained by the sword: and, considering the great numerical superiority we may not improbably be some day summoned to encounter, our only hopes of victory or even safety must depend on the efficient state of our Army and Navy; nor can that efficiency be better promoted than by attending to those minutiae which can in any way contribute to the health, comfort, and feelings of the private soldier. L. A. CAPTURE OF THE FORMIDABLE SLAVER, BY HER MAJESTY'S BRIG BUZZARD. MR. EDITOR, Though late, perhaps the particulars of a gallant action (the last fought on the coast of Africa) may not be unacceptable to the readers of your widely-diffused journal. Your correspondent is sorry he has not been able to procure the letter of Rear-Admiral Campbell, C.B. (now Vice-Admiral Sir P. Campbell), on this occasion. This action gave promotion to Lieutenant Milward. London, July 10th, 1838. H.M.B. Buzzard, at sea, 19th Dec., 1834. SIR, I have the honour to inform you, for the information of the Commander-in-Chief, that, in compliance with your orders, received from the Griffon, whilst cruising off the Old Calabar, on the 17th inst., I succeeded in capturing, by boarding (after a smart action of three-quarters of an hour), the Spanish slave-brig Formidable, pierced for eighteen guns, having on board six grovers, 18-pounders, and two long 16-pounders, with upwards of 700 slaves. I am happy to state that, notwithstanding the great resistance made by the Formidable, we have had no loss of life, and only six wounded-one man and one boy dangerously. The loss on board the Spaniard amounted to six killed, including the mate and carpenter; five severely wounded, including the Captain; and eight of the crew with three of the slaves, slightly. Our fore and maintop-mast stays were cut, running rigging and sails much damaged, flying jib-boom shot away, and bumpkin carried away in boarding. It gives me much pleasure to bring under your notice the bravery and good conduct of the officers and men under my command, who merit my warmest thanks. They were constantly on the sweeps from half-past 9 A.M. until we commenced firing at fifteen minutes past 4 P.M. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, A. W. MILWARD, Lieut.-Commanding. To Com. Meredith, H.M.S. Pelorus, Senior Officer, &c. &c. &c. H.M.S. Pelorus, at sea, Dec. 22nd, 1834. SIR, I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th inst., relating to the capture of the Formidable, Spanish armed slave-brig, by H.M. brigantine Buzzard, under your command, two days previously, by boarding, after a chase of seven hours on the sweeps, and an action of three-quarters of an hour. Your letter I have forwarded to the Commander-in-Chief, with such remarks as I thought right to make on so gallant an affair. In the meantime I have to express my admiration of your conduct throughout the whole of this business, and to desire you will convey to the officers and ship's company of the Buzzard my entire approbation of the perseverance with which they exerted themselves to close with the Formidable, and of the coolness and bravery they displayed when brought in contact with persons resisting the orders under which you act. You will be pleased to send me the names of the wounded for the information of the Commander-in-Chief. I am, Sir, your obedient humble servant, RICHD. MEREDITH, To Lieut. A. W. Milward, commanding H.M. brigantine Buzzard. H.M.S. Pelorus, at sea, 22nd of December, 1834. · SIR, It is with the greatest satisfaction I have the honour to enclose a letter I have just received from Lieutenant Milward, of the Buzzard, detailing the capture of El Formidable Spanish slave-brig, with upwards of 700 slaves on board. Nothing but the extreme diffidence (the sure characteristic of such gallantry) with which Lieutenant Milward reports this capture would induce me to add to his statement, but I feel it my duty to lay the case clearly before you. The Formidable was formerly a "guarda costa" of larger dimensions than the Pelorus, armed as described, purposely equipped and manned for resistance, most perfectly prepared, as reported by the senior Lieutenant of this sloop, who visited her in our boats up the Calabar; and her commander had expressed his determination not to be captured by any of our small cruisers. The coolness and gallantry with which she was boarded and captured by one of those very small vessels which she despised, in spite of the determined resistance she made, can only be equalled by the mercy which checked the well-disciplined bravery of the Buzzard's gallant crew the moment resistance ceased, and saved the lives of many of the Spaniards, who were followed up by the boarders, as well as of the wretched slaves, who were dressed in red jackets, &c., with the hope of intimidating, by their great show of force. The Formidable was the crack vessel here, and I trust I may be permitted to add, that in no action on this coast has the disparity of force been greater, the resistance more determinedly kept up, or more coolly and gallantly overcome, than in this instance. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient humble servant, To Rear-Admiral P. Campbell, C.B. RICHARD MEREDITH, Commander. THE BANNER OF BLUE. Rouse thee! rouse thee! to the loud cry, The peal that has echo'd so wide Should hasten the noble and brave Their homes and their altars to save. 'Tis tinted of ocean and sky; Let none but the gallant and true The symbol of faith, of honour so true; "Tis the voice of thy own native land, As leaves vest with beauty the bough! The flag that floats free o'er the seas, The symbol of faith, now hoisted to view, Hail! hail! to our streamer of pride, The emblem of union it wears, And stanch were the hearts and the love The conquests and trophies it won Are link'd to dear Albion's name, And the deeds of renown she hath done. To flag, throne, and realm, be stedfast and true, J. F. FOREIGN MISCELLANY. FRANCE. MILITARY STORES AND ORDNANCE. The following calculation of the stock in hand is independent of the matériel possessed by the National Guards. It is estimated to consist of 3000 pieces of heavy cannon, 1567 field-pieces of brass or bronze, 1862 field-pieces of iron, 1562 howitzers, 4,100,000 large and 4,000,000 small cannon-balls, 1,000,000 cartridges, 710,000 bombs, 22,000,000 pounds of gunpowder, 1,000,256 firelocks in store, 74,000 carbines, 850,000 infantry and 130,000 cavalry swords, 5200 pickaxes, and 12,000 cuirasses. THE NAVY. On the 17th of January the total number of individuals employed in the sea-service, of all descriptions, amounted to 110,589. Amongst whom there were 10,836 Captains, commanders of vessels, and pilots; and of that number 272 belonged to the public, and 6946 were engaged in the merchant service. The staff of the military corps in the Navy is composed of 28 Generals, 228 superior officers, and 1250 subalterns and cadets. The ships in commission were,-10 of the line, 12 frigates, 26 sloops or corvettes, 63 brigs and galleys, 12 luggers, and 17 steam-boats. SUPPLY OF MEN FOR THE NAVAL SERVICE. As soon as a young man has been eighteen months apprenticed in the coasting-trade, or has made two voyages at sea, or has been employed two years in the fisheries, he is registered in the lists of the district to which he belongs. Besides this class of mariners, all other persons, be their ages what they may, who enter mercantile vessels or engage in the fisheries, are inscribed in the registers as soon as they have seen service, as above detailed nor is any exception made in their favour, although they may have run the gauntlet of the ballot for the Army, or have served their time in the ranks. The record of their names in the register of mariners, liable to serve, is all that is necessary to fix that liability upon them; and both in their case, and that of every regularly-bred seaman, this liability continues until the age of fifty. All become as much the property of the State as the Russian serf does that of the land-owner at the moment of his birth. Whenever there is need of sailors for the naval service, the naval Prefect announces the quota of men to be supplied from each district to the local supervisor or commissary. The latter hereupon directs the syndic of the Navy to send him twice or thrice the number of mariners required; and he makes such selections from them as he thinks proper. No exemption whatever is admitted; even though a man may be the sole support of his family, or may have arrived the very moment before from a long voyage: nay, even though he may have all his brothers serving in the Navy. There is no appeal from the will or caprice of the commissary. If the poor fellow make a single remark which may be unpalatable to this jack in office, he can send him forthwith to prison; and, if he choose, forward him under the escort of a gendarme to the place of his destination. The sailor receives twenty-two centimes (about 74d.) per league for marching money: he is sent on board immediately on his arrival, and supplied with a uniform and such necessaries as the Captain of the ship may designate; their value being deducted from the wages he may afterwards earn. When his services are no longer required he is sent home, and, if his wages are not sufficient to liquidate the amount of the charge for his equipments, the balance is deducted from the first earnings he may become entitled to in the mercantile service. If a fresh levy of seamen be in progress, he is liable to be instantly ordered to another ship; and many instances could be cited where sailors have been re-embarked on three different summonses, without having been allowed as little as twelvemonths for visiting their families or friends. There is nothing to prevent a sailor from serving thirty-two years without intermission; for he may be forced to remain in the Navy from the age of eighteen to fifty, while his fellow-mariners may have the good fortune never to be called upon to enter it. But this is not all the vexation which the seaman has to digest. It may chance that his early education has not been neglected, and he has made good use of his subsequent opportunities: some shipowner is desirous of giving him the command of one of his vessels, and the man solicits permission to accept the appointment of Captain. He has now to undergo examination before the two examiners, appointed by the Minister of the Marine, who are annually sent down from Paris. One of them makes his appearance twelve days or a fortnight before the other, and examines candidates publicly in the practice of navigation; those whom he may deem to fall short in their qualities are at once rejected, and this is a complete bar to their presenting themselves to the other examiner, who has to ascertain the quantum of their theoretical knowledge. This examiner also makes his selection, and such as are rejected by him have to wait for the succeeding year's examination, if they can screw up their courage to the ordeal. These two officers are complete arbiters of the seaman's fate : there is no appeal against their verdict; and it rests with them entirely, either to make a man Captain or consign him back to his humble berth of common seaman, with all its hardships and slavery, with as little as possible to incite or reward, and as much as can be imagined to dishearten, and discourage, and break his spirit.-T. AUSTRIA. There is at this moment a horse of extraordinary age and qualities in Prince Schwarzenberg's regiment of Hulans. He is a grey, and was brought from the Ukraine in 1805, as one of the remount for the regiment: he was christened by the name of Abraham, and made over to a trumpeter. At the battle of Ulm he lost his rider by a cannon-ball, and received a severe sabre-cut himself across his nostrils; in spite of which a trooper instantly threw himself across his vacant saddle. The courage which Abraham displayed insured his promotion to the dignity of a charger to an officer in the regiment; and he upheld his reputation in many a severe encounter on the Danube, as well as on the soil of France. In spite of his years, Abraham is to this day accounted one of the best and swiftest horses in the regiment. SYRIA. Extract of a letter from the head-quarters of Ibrahim Pasha at Horan, about thirty miles from Damascus :-" Dr. Bowring and others before me had been refused admission to head-quarters, and I should most probably have been treated to a similar denial, had I, like them, solicited leave. I determined, however, to start, trusting to the chapter of accidents, and under escort.of ten Bedouins. It is true, I have no reason to boast of a cordial welcome, nor of having been allowed to take a personal part in Ibrahim's expedition, for the Turks still retain much of their olden mistrust towards foreigners: yet I succeeded in accomplishing my chief purpose, which was to obtain real information as to the state of things, and see as much as I could of them with my own eyes. If we are to believe our European papers, nothing short of the major part of Syria, to wit, the mountain districts, are in open rebellion, and bearding the Viceroy's troops in considerable force. |