for the present, in his breeches pocket. In the mean time, we observe, at the opposite door, a crowd of weather-beaten veterans entering, many of them with grey hairs, and in the uniform of lieutenants, and some of them midshipmen. Several have but one arm, some are deeply scared in the face, and others have wooden legs; his Lordship does not look up or take the least notice of them whatever; but a secretary or clerk, in whose countenance and manner there is as wellblended a mixture of servility and arrogance as ever Sir Pertinax himself displayed, turns his head round from the desk, where he is, with a pen behind his ear, and scowls on them a sort of dogged and surly reception. The foremost man of the company, who is one of those who have left a leg at the bottom of the ocean, and got one in its place of British oak, seems very much inclined to apply his sound foot to a certain part of the person of the secretary, which is conveniently turned towards him, but another feeling restrains this act of indignant justice, perhaps the recollection of having a wife and six children at home. The artist has here admirably expressed the mixed sensations of this internal conflict of manly impulse and discretion. A comrade in glory and misfortune has his eye turned up with a melancholy expression towards a picture on the wall over the mantle-piece, under which is written, in golden letters, "Nursery for Naval Heroes; and, indeed, the scene represented has all the appearance of a real nursery. We see a puny and querulous infant in the uniform of a post-captain, and a servant maid feeding him with pap; another Lilliputian, who has just left off petticoats, is undergoing the clandestine discipline of an angry nurse, who, having taken his breeches down, and laid him across her knee, is proceeding to inflict summary punishment, with a countenance expressive of her confidence in the

moral effects of a sound whipping; the young gentleman, who roars like a little bull-calf, is in the costume of a rear-admiral. Near him, torturing a captive sparrow, which he has tied by the leg with a red string, is a vice-admiral of the red. Such a picture may well be supposed to make the heart of the hoary veteran burn with indignation; and one may think he sees the tear of pain and scorn starting from his manly eye. Through the open windows of the apartment we catch a view of the palace of St. James's in the distance; and in the quarter of the sky above it, we observe a storm gathering, and thunder-clouds apparently rolling in the direction of the Admiralty, which already begins to be darkened by the coming shadows of the tempest.

SECOND VIEW-THINGS AS THEY OUGHT TO BE.

If we may judge by the state of the atmosphere in this picture, the storm, which the former one described as approaching, has burst, discharged its rain and lightnings, and passed away, leaving the sky clear and beautiful, and the sun shining forth again in all his most refreshing splendour. Here we are presented with a view of the same apartment as that in the former composition; but the presiding genius is different-the cold and crafty face of Lord Melville no longer throws a chill over the hearts and fortunes of brave men. Instead of that, we see a personage of a bold and good-humoured expression, having in his deportment and manner much of the masculine frankness of one who has himself been trained on the quarter-deck-the comrade of gallant tars; and in him we recognize the Duke of Clarence. He is stretching out his arm to shake hands with the wooden-legged veteran described in the former picture, who is advancing with a manly hu mility to make his obeisance. The phalanx of true bits of English oak that accompany him have the smile

of agreeable anticipation on their sun-burnt countenances. They have all forgotten their wounds and their sufferings, and are as rejoiced as a group of way-worn travellers, who, after long wandering through the scorching sands of the desert, have suddenly got under the shade of a green palm-tree in some sheltered and verdant spot. The man with the pen behind his ear is also present, but how changed! the arrogance and contumely of office are gone; he no longer keeps his back towards the brave defenders of their country he approaches them with an expression as abject as he was before supercilious; he seems to be offering them his services in the most humble manner, and asking how he can facilitate their business. On the table before the Duke, the papers of pedigrees and parliamentary connections are no longer seen; but in their place we observe gazettes of battles, and testimonials of service and merit. There are a number of new commissions, which he has, apparently just signed, and which, we presume, are intended for the band of time-worn warriors, who, after encountering the perils of the seas and the enemy, in every quarter of the globe, were doomed to be long familiar with "that sickness of the heart which arises from hope deferred." The picture of the "Naval Nursery," over the mantlepiece is now displaced, and in its stead we observe an allegorical representation, in which Britannia is seen, having her brows encircled by the naval crown, and the lion at her feet, welcoming with pride her naval heroes, whom Alcides, or the god of manly virtue, presents to her; while at her right hand a masculine figure, over whose head a genius suspends a royal crown, is preparing to honour them with the badges of distinction-the rewards of merit. Round the walls of the office we see portraits of Blake, Rodney, Duncan, St. Vincent, Nelson, and others, who fought their way from the hum

blest grade in the service, by native and unaided heroism, to rank and immortal fame. Outside the window the British oak is planted-its green leaves glitter in the sun, and an eagle is perched in one of its topmost boughs, with its eyes steadily fixed upon the orb of day. The troop of school-boys, who made so prominent a figure in the other picture, are seen in the distance, scampering home to their mammas, like a flight of young rooks which have been suddenly scared from a cornfield by the appearance of the farmer and his gun. Both these pictures display a great deal of close attention to nature. The coloring is sufficiently warm, without being gaudy; they are grouped into picturesque effect, and are not deficient in variety of expression.-Bell's Life in London.

An Ancient Briton.

In the reign of King William III. one Griffith, a Welchman, had the misfortune, (or rather good fortune,) to be taken by a French privateer, which not only plundered him of all his fishing-tackle and cargo, but carried off his little sloop, and removed him and his crew, consisting only of another man and boy, on board of the privateer. In the night time, the French watch being under no apprehension from the few prisoners, fell asleep on the deck, which the vigilant captain observing, made the best of his time; and, arming himself with a hatchet, and his man and boy with handspikes, first fastened down the hatches on all the crew below, and fell to work with the watch, whom they killed, before they were well awake, and threw overboard. Griffith, by this means, became master of the privateer, which, with the crew, the ancient Briton brought into an English port.

His Majesty was so charmed with the boldness of the action, and the modesty of the Briton, who, instead of growing elate upon it, lamented only the loss of the little

sloop, that he caused an inquiry to be made into his character; and finding he had been a tar from his cradle, and always a bold and resolute man, ordered him into his presence, and a twenty-gun ship of war to be given him. He behaved so well in that station, that we find him, pretty early in the next reign, captain of a thirty-gun ship, in one of the neutral ports in Italy, in which was likewise a seventy-gun French man-of-war. The two captains fell accidentally into company together, when the Frenchman indulged in some vain boasting as to his master's naval force; and, though he seemed to own that in a general engagement the English were rather more than a match for them, yet he contended, that the French singly, ship for ship, equal burden, always prevailed, by their superior number of men.

The bold Briton denied the latter part of the position; and fired with indignation, told him if he had had the fortune to have met him at sea, he would have proved it by staking his little ship in opposition to his large one. The Frenchman, who looked on his adversary as a kind of British Gascon, who had more wit than courage, tempted him yet further; and, at last, said, he would give him the opportunity he wished for, by following him to sea at the expiration of the neutral hours. Griffith took him at his word, and sailed away, leaving the French captain exulting in his finesse, and joking through the town on the rashness of the fiery Welchman, with whom he promised to return in tow the next day. The two ships met at the place appointed; Griffith welcomed the Frenchman by a broadside, and after that by another, before the enemy was ready to return the fire. The event of this naval duel, as we may call it, after a long and hot dispute, was, that the boasting Frenchman was carried back again in triumph to Leghorn, to the great amazement, as well as diversion of the whole town.

The brave Briton signified his success to the Admirality, in a letter written with his own hand, more laconic than elegant, and addressed, To their Honours and Glories of the Admiralty. As our valiant captain could fight his ship much better than write a letter, it gave as much pleasure to the Board, as the relation of the rise, progress, and event of the hardy action, by the hand of the British consul at that place, did astonishment and wonder. The royal acknowledgment was sent him for his service, and he was ordered home with his prize. Upon his arrival, he was presented with the queen's pardon in form; which he was going to throw at the messenger's head, had not his officers, and some gentlemen who were come to pay him a visit on his landing, interposed. All their endeavours, however, could not make him understand, that in wantonly-risking the queen's ship, he had incurred the guilt of high treason; swearing, "That he saw no treason in taking an enemy of more than double his force." force." And though he was pacified, when he found he was to command his own prize, yet he would not accept it, unless he had his brave boys to a man along with him. Her Majesty was pleased not only to grant him this favour, but to leave him also the nomination of his officers.

The Gallant Marine.

In an attack made on a French setée, armed with four six-pounders, twelve mounted musketoons, and small arms, by the boats of the Melpomene frigate, Captain Parker, off the coast of Leghorn, in the year 1806, Lieutenant Thomson in the barge, and five seamen, were killed, six desperately wounded, and several others disabled. The ship and other boats were at a considerable distance; but the survivors persevered, and hooked on. Mr. Butler, Lieutenant Gascoigne, and Serjeant Thomas Milligan, were the only

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persons enabled to board, at which time the enemy's crew consisted of eighteen men, three of whom were killed, and fifteen made prisoners. The conduct of Milligan peculiarly excited the admiration of his brave comrades and captain. Being in the bow of the barge, he was the first man that boarded the setée; and on his leaping on the deck, six muskets were presented in his face, the fatal effects of which he rapidly avoided, by throwing himself instantly into the midst of the enemy's crew. Owing to the number of killed and wounded in the barge, and the setée continuing under sail, only five men were able to follow the serjeant; but after some resistance the enemy were forced to retreat and disperse, and six of them leaped into their own boat, carrying their arms and ammunition with them. Serjeant Milligan, fearing that they might do considerable mischief with their muskets, and knowing that the barge could not follow, jumped down into the middle of them. He was instantly seized and thrown overboard; but in the struggle, he grappled and carried one of the enemy with him, whom he killed in the water with his cutlass. The other boats of the Melpomene now coming up, every exertion was made to save the serjeant, who was seen swimming astern of the setée, apparently very faint, having received several wounds during the action. One of the Lieutenants of the ship seeing an oar close behind him, called to Milligan to get hold of it, in order to receive some assistance, till the boat could get up to him, which afterwards picked him up. On his being asked, when safe on board, if he had gained the assistance of the oar floating by him, he replied, "No, sir, I did not know the enemy had all surren dered; and I could not bear the idea of turning my back on the enemy's vessel." The Patriotic Fund presented this brave fellow with forty pounds.

Seeing is Believing.

Some abuse having crept into the navy, more particularly with respect to the horrible impress service, William, Duke of Cumberland, was determined to search into the truth. Accordingly, one morning, being accompanied by a naval officer of rank, both dressed as sailors, they went to Wapping; and entering a public-house, desired the landlady to furnish them with a private room, which they would liberally pay for, having heard, since they came on shore, that the press was very hot. The treacherous hostess took the money, with a low curtsey, and after lamenting the many hardships and oppressions which the poor mariners were obliged to undergo, she retired, and immediately gave information to a gang, observing, however, that one of the men was so fat that he was perhaps scarcely worth the shipping. Upon this, the pressgang burst into the room; when, after a well-feigned resistance, the Duke and his friend suffered themselves to be dragged on board the tender. They were very roughly interrogated, and severely reprimanded for daring to resist his Majesty's officers. The Duke answered for himself and his companion, and inveighed against them in very severe terms, for using men so cruelly; upon which they were both ordered down below. This the Duke refused to comply with, which so exasperated the Captain, that he told them they should soon know who he was, and directly ordered them to be stripped and flogged. Duke exclaimed, "Strip me, if you dare!" This was not to be endured; the captain struck his Royal Highness with a cane, which was a signal to his men to strip their victim by force; this they set about, but they had no sooner pulled off his blue jacket, than they perceived the star on his breast. The tables were now turned: the Duke declared who he was, and in a minute the whole opposing party were down

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on their knees, imploring his forgiveness. He immediately ordered the captain to be secured, whilst he went below, where a scene of the most savage barbarity presented itself; some poor creatures were bleeding from the repeated lashes which they had received; and others were gasping for life, from the want of fresh air. The Duke, on his return, waited on the Lords of the Admiralty; the brutal captain was dismissed, and a reformation instituted throughout the service.

Lost and Found.

Whilst the Active was employed in the last war up the Mediterranean,

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an officer was sent on board a merchantman upon the disagreeable duty of impressment. The seaman selected, dexterously enough, pleaded his incapacity to serve in a manof-war. Resorting to raillery in the first instance, he endeavoured, as sailors say, to come cripplegate" over the lieutenant, and thus opened his fire:- I suppose you'll get me a 'cook's warrant' if I enter? What else is a fellow, without the use of both arms, fit for ?-Soon glad to get rid o' me, I guess.". The lieutenant, as alive to his motives as himself, disdained all parley, and ordered at once his bed and baggage into the boat. Jack now solemnly declaring he was a "cripple from his cradle, and that both captain and mate could sartify the same, being unable to lift his hand to his head, much more to go aloft; moreover, he was an American born."

In the lieutenant's mind, his logic was less sound than his arm-so shipped he was. Upon examination by the surgeon, the lieutenant's opinion was corroborated: still the arm pronounced to be sound hung motionless by his side, though the captain, (the present Sir James Gordon) often, in a tone of jocularity so peculiarly his own, and so winning in a superior, reminded him of his good luck in falling-in with a

ship whose surgeon was so particularly skilful in fishing sprung spars. No amendment was however observable.

The Active continued two years on the Mediterranean station, and though subjected to a secret and strict watch, both night and day, Jack's faithful arm never betrayed the slightest muscular motion. Being suspected to be an excellent seaman, he was plied with every inducement and argument to desist from an unprofitable and unavailing imposture. He still appealed to his helplessness as a full title to his discharge, and though appointed to the most degrading duties, as sweeper and scavenger, his infirmity continued inflexible to the last.

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In an engagement with an enemy's squadron, his captain had stationed him on the quarter-deck so as to be under his own eye. During the heat of the action he never lost sight of his darling object, preserving the most perfect presence mind, recollecting that if he had "one hand for the king, the other was for himself;" for though fighting like a lion, it was observed that one arm only was employed at the gun-tackle fall. His gallant commander, now falling severely wounded, that important secret, which neither artifice, encouragement, threats, disgrace, or even the din of battle, could induce him to reveal, the generous feeling of humane concern for his esteemed commander's misfortune betrayed in a moment. The honest tar, completely off his guard, was the first to pick up his mangled officer in both his arms. The grand discovery was first made by Sir James, who, though deprived of a limb, with admirable coolness, observed," Well, my boy, if I've lost a leg, I'm glad to see you've found an arm." As the reader will anticipate, he soon proved one of

the best seamen of a "crack crew,' and was ultimately promoted for his exemplary conduct.