character of Colonel Snodgrass,-but, except as the "historian," that is not impugned. We are assured that the said "history" is excellent: but the colouring of friendship must of necessity be glowing, for the eye of a friend sees the brighter parts of the object before it, and the hand is prone to trace only what the eye has seen. In such conclusions there is more of amiability than virtue, because it is the offspring of impulse instead of reason, and is often bestowed without inquiry or discrimination. He stickles for the military renown of the Burmese, and the Colonel's representation thereof; mere words, however, are not enough to convince, and it is of very little consequence to us whether the authority be brought from Calcutta or Kamschatka, if the facts preponderate against the representation. At all events, whether our opinions be founded upon the rock of truth, or whether they be tottering on the unstable basis of circumstantial evidence, our only object is justice. We have placed a public question before the United Services of Great Britain, in order to show that though men may fail in obtaining certain partial distinctions, meritorious conduct will ever be duly estimated by cotemporaries. Reputation may be, in the opinion of those who are devoted to a vegetable kind of life, a mere "bubble;" but it is a bubble which beguiles the hardships of the field and the elements. For this every comfort is relinquished,-for this the Briton nobly dares every danger, and fearlessly braves every clime, "For this endures, beneath the Polar star, Or faints with heat, where Ammon's temple stands The truth is, we suspect, that the gallant Lieutenant, having appeared in print and with credit on a former occasion, has availed himself, with some tact, of the present opening for giving vent to those "Notes" which, as he informs us, he had been prevented from publishing by an "official personage." ADVENTURES OF A YOUNGER SON. -Wild, libertine, and eccentric, half truth, half fiction, revolting yet attractive, savage yet sentimental, abounding in contrasts, as if its pictures had been alternately traced by a Fiend and a Fairy-such are the leading characteristics of this freebooter's tale. Its opening chapters half inclined us to cast down the book as a "fiery particle" of the "Satanic School;" but so many redeeming sketches of the sea, the shore, and the beings that people them, so many images marked by novelty, power, or delicate beauty, crowding in quick succession, charmed our interest and pleaded to our imagination, that we were fairly won to relax in the sterner decree of our judgment. As the hues and forms of nature transcend the painter's art, so the incidents of real life equal or surpass the warmest creations of fancy. Romance can go no farther than the actual "adventures" of the homicidal Renegade and Corsair "The Younger Son." STANDARD NOVELS-XII. AND XIII.-THE CANTERBURY TALES.— This admirable collection bids fair to furnish a series of Novels rich in the best attributes of that class of works, and unsurpassed in interest by any similar publication. The "Canterbury Tales," by the Sisters Lee, afforded us, in our younger days, never-failing entertainment : nor do we find our early predilections discountenanced by our maturer experience. The "Canterbury Tales" are strictly worthy to be prominently placed, as they here are, in a selection of STANDARD Novels; while their revised and singularly cheap form, gives them an additional title to extensive circulation. CABINET CYCLOPEDIA - VOL. XXVI.-PORCELAIN AND GLASS MANUFACTURE-Gives a clear insight into the mysteries and varieties of the delicate art it treats of, and may be read both with profit and amusement. The next Volume of the series contains a compressed HISTORY OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLICS, by De Sismondi. Although we do not partake the learned author's enthusiasm for Republics, and should be inclined to draw opposite conclusions from many of the data on which he founds his favour towards the turbulent little communities incorporated in Italy, during the middle ages, for purposes of trade, we acknowledge the charm of his style and the instructive character of his details. The work has the merit of being a succinct and able sketch of a multiform and conflicting subject. The Second Volume of Mr. Gleig's EMINENT BRITISH MILITARY COMMANDERS (Volume XXVIII. of the above), contains the conclusion of the Memoir of Marlborough, with the Lives of Lord Peterborough and Gen. Wolfe. In the range of British Military Biography, down to the wars of the French Revolution, there occur not names more illustrious, nor subjects more striking, whether we regard their respective exploits with the attendant results, or the shades and contrasts which mark their several characters. The Life of Marlborough, the longest and most laboured of these Memoirs, is an admirable epitome of that great Captain's career, in his double capacity of warrior and statesman ;-a combination of qualities common to all eminent military leaders both of ancient and modern times, from Joshua and David to Napoleon and Wellington. The sketches of Peterborough and Wolfe are penned in an equally discriminating spirit, and with the clearness and fluency of style peculiar to the accomplished writer. We the less regret our inability, within limits so brief, to do critical justice to this volume, persuaded as we are, that the work will find its way into the hands of all military men who study their profession, and regard its author as one who does honour to that service which he has been tempted to exchange for a more peaceful calling. LIFE AND REIGN OF GEORGE IV. -CONCLUDING VOL.-CABINET LIBRARY VIII. The party prejudices of the writer mar the utility of this work, in which there even appears a disposition to depreciate the British Troops, their Leaders, and Allies, and exalt or palliate the pretensions, military and national, of their revolutionary antago THE CABINET ANNUAL REGISTER VOL. I.-FOR 1831-This is one of the most useful and satisfactory specimens we have seen of the miniature progeny of books. If we estimate the execution of this teeming compendium in the ratio of its difficulty, the compilers are entitled to praise for their successful compression and arrangement of such a mass of matter. The work deserves, and will doubtless obtain, extensive popularity. THE GEORGIAN ERA-VOL. I.Condensation in bookmaking has reached its acme.-A prodigious quantity of biographical detail is compressed, with the utmost distinctness, in this dense volume-the first of four, in which are to be comprised the lives of the most eminent persons who have flourished in Great Britain from the accession of George I. to the death of George IV. including the Royal Family. A vast number of medallion portraits, of inferior execution, illustrate the work, which, both in its plan and performance, promises to be a valuable repertory of memoirs and general information during the brilliant period it is intended to embrace. A DICTIONARY OF COMMERCE.—A work, to embrace in compressed limits, the various details of Commerce and Commercial Navigation, was an undertaking of no slight labour, though of evident utility if well executed. Judging by the specimens we have seen, Mr. M'Culloch has succeeded in the avowed objects of this publication. The articles relating to India, especially, are marked by a thorough knowledge of the subject. HANSARD'S ANALYTICAL PARLIAMENTARY DIGEST-PART II. (first published) from 1803 to 1830.-A compilation demanding great perseverance and a practised judgment to execute it. The difficulty of digesting the matter spread over sixty-six thick volumes of debates into an index comprised in one, will be appreciated by those who may profit by the facilities of attaining Parliamentary information which will be afforded by the latter. Sir John Philippart, as compiler of this work, has ren. dered an acceptable service to the public. ANNUAL BIOGRAPHY AND OBITUARY OF 1831.-This volume contains, we regret to say, an unusual number of Naval Memoirs, all of distinguished officers lost to the service. They receive full justice in these pages. THE CHAMELEON.-An agreeable miscellany, in the manner of the Annuals. COLONIAL CRISIS.-In the multiplied hobbles into which poor Britannia has been thrown by her speculative sons, that of her West Indian relation is neither the last nor the least. The "Reform Bill," which is to go so far in relieving the lower orders of this country from labour and taxes, may, perhaps, extend its all-healing properties across the herring-pond. But, as if in doubt of this, Lieut. Claxton draws his pen upon the emancipating Mr. Buxton, gives him several angry and confounding cuts, and finally submits his own scheme for bestowing the Pilean gift upon the coalblack population of the West Indies. The Lieutenant, though not always clear in his deductions, very prudently advises civilizing the slaves before turning them adrift; and repeats the too well grounded threat of flags inimical to England being likely to find future favour in the eyes of our colonists. The slaves in the West Indies are said to amount to about 750,000; and if the emancipation of such a number be actually resolved upon, it must be by very gradual stages, or the end will be defeated, and the negroes fall into a state of anarchy worse than slavery. On the whole, we recommend every person interested in the Trans-Atlantic colonies, as well as the philanthropists, pseudophilanthropists, saints, and sinners, to read this second letter of Lieut. Claxton. We had written thus far before the accounts of the formidable outbreak in Jamaica had reached this country. The insurrection of the misguided negroes has been even more general and ruinous than could have been anticipated, and holds out a grave warning to the advocates of rash and sweeping legislation. HANOVERIAN MILITARY JOURNAL -1832. PARTS I. AND II.-The Military Periodical, under the above title, addressed to our comrades of the Hanoverian Army, and conducted by officers of that service, much upon the plan of this Journal, deserves and should receive from us more frequent notice, did our space, crowded as it is with original and pressing matter, permit us to extract from its well-handled subjects. The two parts, for the present year, just published, contain some sterling articles, especially one, by Gen. Julius Hartmann, of the Royal Hanoverian Artillery, upon the organization and qualities of the British Army, in reply to a "violent sally" against the latter at the close of a laboured essay" On the Modern Organization of Armies" in the Allgemeine Militair-Zeitung. The gallant General defends his old comrades with warmth and success. There is also a very able review of Count Bismark's works, by Capt. Glünder, of whom we have already had occasion to speak as an author, and who is joint Editor of the Journal with Major Jacobi and Capt. Hanbury. We shall probably revert to these articles. Meantime we wish our cotemporary the continued success it merits. REEFING TOPSAILS.-This coloured Print, from a Painting by Mr. Huggins, Marine Painter to the King, is full of character and spirit. We suggest, by the way, to this clever artist that he could not more appropriately or popu larly employ his pencil, than by undertaking a series of views, distinguishing every description of British armed vessel, from a first-rate to a cutter. We think such a design executed by the known welcome to the service and advantageous accuracy of Mr. Huggins, would be both to the artist. GALLERY OF THE SOCIETY OF PAINTERS IN WATER COLOURSPART II.-" The Batchelor," painted by Lewis, and engraved by Robinson, has confirmed us in our vows of celibacy. This spirited and accurate drawing presents the beau-ideal of single snuggery and independence. Calais Pier, by Cox, engraved by Cooke, and Llyn Idwal, by Robson, engraved by Smith, offer a fine contrast of rough and smooth. FRAGMENTS OF VOYAGES AND TRAVELS-SECOND SERIES.-Our review of these delightful volumes is unavoidably postponed till next month, when we shall endeavour to extend to our readers some portion of the gratification we have derived from their perusal. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE UNITED SERVICE JOURNAL. Colonel Brotherton on a Passage in our January Number respecting the British Cavalry. MR. EDITOR,-The account given in your last Number, under the head "British Cavalry on the Peninsula," of the charge in which Lieut.-Colonel Talbot, of the 14th Light Dragoons, was killed, is incorrect. He was too good a soldier to feel any doubt or hesitation as to charging a handful of infantry, stumbled upon in an open country by eight or ten squadrons of cavalry; much less to express such feelings at such a moment. I am confident they never crossed his mind, and if they had, there was neither time nor opportunity for such remarks, for the whole affair was instantaneous. The operation of the day was a surprise of the enemy's cavalry posts on the left bank of the Agueda. The plan was cleverly arranged by that skilful officer, Major-Gen. Robert Craufurd, and executed successfully, with the exception herein alluded to. As cavalry alone was expected to be met with, nothing else was employed on the occasion, and as no artillery accompanied the column, it could never have occurred to Lieut.-Colonel Talbot, to recommend the use of it previously to charging the few infantry surprised in the plain. The fact was, that the sudden and unexpected appearance of this infantry, which proved to be a detached picquet from a battalion that had crossed over from the right bank of the river during the night, rather disconcerted Gen. Craufurd, who had reckoned on having to do with cavalry only. He came up to the officer commanding the leading half-squadron of the 14th, and in a hasty, and as far as regarded the object of attack, rather indistinct manner, gave a peremptory order to charge, merely pointing to the supposed direction in which the enemy were, without any farther instructions. Though the enemy afterwards proved to be so very close, yet at the moment they were invisible, being hidden in standing corn. The officer who had received Gen. Craufurd's order, immediately changed his direction towards the spot pointed to by the General. At this instant Colonel Talbot came up, and on inquiring the reason of this change of direction, formed half squadrons, and had proceeded but a very few yards, when the gallant little square started up from their hiding-place, when we were almost on the points of their bayonets, and poured in a destructive volley. You may rely on the general accuracy of this statement, if you think proper to insert it. I happened to be the officer in command of the leading half squadron with which Colonel Talbot fell; and though I deplored our loss at the time, yet I never considered it as an instance of the misapplication of cavalry, but only as a charge inconsiderately executed. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, Cavalry Depôt, Maidstone, 1st March 1832. Claims to the capture of Gen. Le Fevre at Beneventé. MR. EDITOR,-In your valuable Journal for November, the capture of Gen. Le Fevre, at Beneventé, is claimed by a soldier of the 7th Hussars. Feeling that this gallant regiment, and the individuals who have filled its ranks, have to boast sufficient laurels, without "out-stepping truth," I have no hesitation in correcting the error, and in so doing giving just credit to Troop Serjeant-Major Grisdale of the 10th Hussars. Private Grisdale, in consequence of making prisoner this French officer, was promoted to the rank of corporal, and by subsequent good conduct rose U. S. JOURN. No. 41. APRIL 1832. 2 M to he senior non-commissioned officer of a troop. He ever continued to be distinguished for his gallantry, and had his horse killed by a cannon shot at the battle of Toulouse, when coverer to him who now (in allusion to PAST EVENTS) subscribes himself, as I fear your readers can never consider this hasty note, "AN ELEGANT EXTRACT." Steam Vessels of War. MR. EDITOR,-To render steam-boats fit for war, requires a better combination of construction and arming than our official people seem to be aware of. The Salamander, at Sheerness, and the Dee, at Woolwich, will both be useless as men-of-war; the former has sufficient depth of hold, but is built so sharp that she will not stow more than ten days fuel, when her stores and guns are on board; the latter is sufficiently flat, but so shallow that she also will stow little more than the former; and I understand those at Plymouth and Chatham are in the same predicament. The Navy Board are alone to blame for the Dee, they had abundance of time for consideration, and both public and private letters were written to members of it, pointing out the disadvantages of pursuing the plan they had decided upon; they also ought to have thought of their former errors in lengthening three ten-gun-brigs fifteen feet to hold a hundred tons of machinery, all of which were loaded nearly up to the main shaft when their fuel (without guns or warlike stores) was on board. The other three were left to the builders of the yards, who, I have no doubt, will produce boats that will run very fast in the river Thames, but will be unfit for men-of-war in consequence of the small quantity of fuel they will carry. A steam-vessel of war ought neither to be so fine as a sailing-vessel, nor, on the other hand, have the capacity of an Indiaman; in the first case she would not stow a sufficient quantity of fuel, and would draw too much water for most purposes-in the latter case she would not go with sufficient rapidity. Her floor should not be quite flat, but nearly so; its length should occupy half the vessel, the form of the bow and run should occupy the other half; the dimensions of the vessels building are thirty feet wide and a hundred and sixty-five feet long; had they been twenty feet deep, and built in the above form, they would have been efficient vessels. I beg it to be fully understood, that I do not propose this as a vessel offering the least resistance in the water, but as one combining the requisites necessary for a steam man-of-war; such a vessel light would draw little more than four feet water, without including the keel, whose depth should be according to circumstances, and quite independent of her construction. Her engines and boilers would immerse her to between six and seven feet, and with eight hundred tons of coals she would draw about fourteen, having her gundeck six feet above water at her greatest loading. With a two hundred horse engine she would consume twenty-four tons of coals a-day, and if they were good, with great care, something less. The shaft should be as close to the deck as possible, and the diameter of the wheels about twenty feet-when loaded to fourteen, the paddle boards should shift up, so as to reduce the diameter of the wheel to fifteen feet; as the coal was expended, the boards should be shifted down till they came to their full extent; the coal boxes should be fitted in compartments, to receive water, in order that the wheels may remain sufficiently immersed as the coals were expended. The engine and boilers should be secured against shot, which has not been thought of in any of our vessels, and no man will be found to attend them in action in their present state; men have long made up their minds on going into action to be killed or wounded, but I have never heard of any who are ready to be boiled. It has been proved that a combination of oak timber, iron plates, bales of linen, leather, or reams of paper, five feet thick, will protect the boiler and engine against an eighteen pound shot, and without |