placing in front of them, when possible, some artificial obstacles." "But," continues Malorti," Circular redoubts have not that defect, as their fire which has no fixed direction, may incessantly vary, and spread itself on every point of the ground that surrounds them;" and "the defence which they present is uniform on every part of the circumference." Now, the defects which this able writer attributes to square redoubts, hold in all their force against the defence of the square stern; while the reasons he gives in favour of redoubts of a circular form, apply most favourably to ships with round sterns. If. we may be allowed, by way of illustration, to borrow a few terms from the practice of field fortification, to apply to the mode of defending a ship of war, we may without impropriety say, the "saliants" of the square stern are unprotected; that we cannot apply to those "saliants" a few teeth of cremaillère;" much less direct the "saliants" towards "inaccessible points," or erect in front of them "artificial obstacles.” But that the fire of the circular stern is without a "fixed direction," because it will "spread" itself over every point of the ocean that surrounds it, and moreover, that its defence will be found "uniform" in every part of the circumference. It is true, that the defence of the stern only includes the form of a semicircle, while the defence of the redoubt here alluded to, embraces the whole range of its circumference; still the reasoning holds good for the latter figure, as well as for the perfect circle, because the cord of the semicircle, in the case of the circular stern, requires no defence.

And how necessary such a mode of defence may be at times, has been most clearly and forcibly shown by Sir Robert Seppings in several instances. Among those mentioned in his Letter, we may allude to the attack made on the Gibraltar, Northumberland, Terrible, and Powerful, by gun-boats in the Bay of Gibraltar; and also when the Minotaur and Dictator passed the Belt, by gun-boats raking them in a calm. In the retreat also of the squadron of Admiral Cornwallis before the French fleet, they had no means of firing but right aft ; and in order to accomplish this, Sir Robert observes " they were mutilated to such a degree, to enable them to apply their guns, that a refit of no small extent was necessary, before they could be considered again fit for service."

"In the event of future wars," observes Sir Robert, "an alteration in the form of the stern of our ships of war would in all probability be absolutely necessary, by which the guns may be worked with greater effect and facility, in consequence of the introduction of steam-vessels: and that America is firmly convinced that a system of attack, by this description of vessels, is not only practicable, but that it will also be destructive in its operations, is not to be doubted. Indeed," continues Sir R. "I have been told, from good authority, that they have lately well manned one of their frigates, given the command of her to a good officer, and directed an experiment to be tried, if a vessel propelled by steam could not, under any circumstances, lay on the quarter of the ship she attacked, and the result was completely in favour of the steam-vessel." If we inquire into the cause of this failure, we shall undoubtedly find, that the frigate was incapable of defending her quarter, owing to the square form of her stern,-a circumstance which would not have taken place, if she had possessed one of a circular form.

In case of an attack of the kind just alluded to, Sir Robert Seppings' plan gives a superiority, not only on account of the additional number of guns which the ship is enabled to bring into action, and the sweep of the ocean which those guns are able to command, but also in advantage of another kind, arising from the diminution of the distance of that point from the ship where the shot from the two after guns cross each other, when the guns are trained to their greatest angle,— a point, it is presumed, of no small importance in case of an attack from a steam-vessel. In an 84 gun ship with a square stern, this point is distant from the stern, on the level of the gun-deck, about 18 feet, and from the upper deck about 16 feet; whereas in the circular stern, the same point on the gun-deck is distant only 12 feet, and from the upper deck but 13. In the case of a 60 gun frigate, the distance of a similar point from the square stern is nearly 16 feet, while in the circular stern it is only 9. These united considerations tend unquestionably to prove, that the circular stern is the form best capable of defence.

The sentiments of so distinguished a man as Dupin, on a question of this nature, are entitled to the highest consideration; and it is most pleasing and satisfactory to peruse the candid and sensible remarks he has made on the subject of round sterns, in his different valuable works. "It is in the sterns of their ships," says he, " that the English at this time carry into effect a great improvement. For the future (it is to be wished that the liberal views of Dupin were completely realized in this point) the sterns of their ships are to be circular, composed of timbers, and planked up in the same manner as the sides of the ships. They are to be pierced with ports, shut in with solid port-lids (below). The ships of three decks, for example, present four vertical ranges of four ports each, to fight when in retreat, which, in proportion to the breadth of the ship, present a force equal to that of ships the best armed in their sides. In the (square) stern, the many glazed windows, and the munnions of fir are the only defence; notwithstanding a shot which comes into a ship from aft forward, or from forward aft, causes ten times the destruction which a shot does which comes in at one side and passes out at the other. Act contrary, then," continues this enlightened author, " to what has hitherto been the practice, and, if possible, make the means of defence of the part most exposed ten times as great as it now is. Reason, at least, demands that this should be done.

"I ardently wish to see these improvements introduced into our ships. I have constantly repeated, since my first journey into England until this day, every argument, every observation, every experiment, which have appeared to me to carry conviction to the mind. Prejudices and objections, which it is impossible to overcome except by the aid of time, have presented themselves; but over these time will necessarily triumph."

Dupin has alluded to prejudices; and unfortunately objections, having no better foundation, have existed, and do still exist in this country, against this most important plan. Among these prejudices, one may be mentioned, which has given rise to objections respecting the want of beauty in the external form of the circular stern. It will not be contended, but that, according to the mode in which the eye has been hitherto educated, the appearance of the square stern is rather

more beautiful than that of the circular form. But the influence of education, it has often been remarked, is omnipotent, and time will do much for the appearance of the new plan. Is it not, however, trifling with a subject of so very important a nature, to sacrifice utility to appearance? Ought the sound principles of a genuine mechanical construction to be abandoned, because the eye has been wedded to a particular form? Ought not the primary objects for which a ship of war was constructed, to be consulted, rather than any ideal notions relating to a subject so very abstract and uncertain as that of beauty? A ship of war should be contemplated at all times,whether in an actual state of warfare, or during a period of tranquillity and peace, -as a floating castle, possessing all the essential elements of durability and force, and capable of acting under all situations, whether of an offensive kind, with equal power, certainty and success. This, it must be admitted, is the idea which ought ever to be associated with a British man-of-war, destined, as it is, to act under circumstances so very varied and uncertain. Objections relative to appearances should cease, and even convenience ought to be surrendered, if necessary, when so many advantages are likely to be obtained. “Ornament and decorations can only be perfectly beautiful,” as Dupin ingeniously observes, “when the appearance of force commands respect from the enemy.” “What should we say,"

". continues this judicious observer, “of a military engineer, if he were to substitute for thick walls, and the massive gates of curtains, glassdoors, to please the fancy of the officers of the place? Yet,” says he, when referring to the square sterns,“ here are the glass-doors which we open in the curtains of our floating fortresses."

In concluding these remarks, therefore, it may be observed, that Sir Robert Seppings, in his letter to Lord Melville, has most unquestionably demonstrated two essential and important principles, namely, 1st, That a ship’s stern, when constructed of a square form, is weak and feeble, when compared with the present general structure of the vessel; and, 2dly, that vessels with sterns of the same form, are incapable of making a strong and vigorous defence, when attacked by a powerful force in that part; but that vessels with circular sterns possess qualities and powers precisely the reverse, exhibiting strength where weakness is invariably found in the old form, supplying all the defects attendant on that mode of construction, giving strength to the entire mechanical frame of the ship, and affording increased security and power to the gallant men who navigate and defend her.

Plymouth, 6th April, 1822.

FROM THE EDINBURGH PHILOSOPHICAL JOURNAL

Les Arrets d'Amours, avec l’Amant rendu Cordelier à l'Observance d'Amours. Par Martial d'Auvergne, dit de Paris, Procureur au Parlement. Accompagnez des Commentaires Juridiques et Joyeux, de Benoit de Court, Jurisconsulte. Dernière Edition, revuë, corregié, f augmentée de plusiers Arrets, de Notes, 8 d'un Glossaire des anciens termes. Amsterdam, 1731.

We certainly live in a very degenerate age. The irregular feelings of the days of chivalry are nearly worn down to the level of common

sense. How different from the times when the spirit was left to its own guidance, and grew and flourished in all the luxuriance of its native wildness. Where shall we now look for the high and honourable sentiments of chivalrous faith and valour which animated the breasts of our forefathers; and, more especially, for that ennobling devotion to lady-love, which conferred equal lustre and dignity on him who paid it, and on her to whom it was paid. Alas! in the nineteenth century, a Lover's cares and fears have “dwindled to the smallest span.”' How different is the conduct of a modern lover from that of an inamorato in the days of chivalry, when it was the most supreme delight, to be allowed

To kneel whole ages at a beauty's feet; and even, in spite of all her disdain, “ to think such sufferings sweet?" But in those ages the fair sex stood on a loftier eminence, and happy was he who was allowed to approach them, even though in the most respectful manner. Even in the coldest nights of winter, the true lover walked till sunrise before his mistress's door-his sole reward, to be allowed to kiss the latch or the knocker of the door. Sometimes, indeed, through some cranny, or, perchance, through the key-hole, he had the rapture of beholding her form, and as she passed he would sing some tender love-song. Nay, at times he was admitted to the honour of kissing the hem of her garment;—at other times, gallantry required greater exertions from him, and, at the hazard of his neck, he would fearlessly scale the loftiest walls, and even descend the longest chimneys, for one glance of his beloved.* Occasionally he stained his face with certain herbs, that he might appear more pitiable in her eyes; and even death became desirable to him for her sake. The gallant Troubadour, Pierre Vidal, furnishes a fine example of chivalrous enthusiasm. Being passionately enamoured of a lady called Louve de Penautier, he called himself Loup, or Wolf, in her honour, and submitted, as such, to be hunted in a wolf's skin. He was pursued by the shepherds and their dogs into the mountains, where, being overtaken, he was, like Actæon, cruelly mangled by the hounds, and carried home to his mistress, as dead. He recovered, however, to felicitate himself on the perils he had endured for his lady's sake.

It was in sentiments and feelings like these, that the institution of the Courts or Parliaments of Love originated. It is surprising that such a jurisdiction should never before have been exercised, and that it should have passed away with the age of chivalry. Even in our own country, and in the nineteenth century, the necessity for such a tribunal is tacitly confessed, by submitting many of the causes which would properly fall within the jurisdiction of the Court of Love, to the cognizance of the Ecclesiastical and Common Law Courts. Where could an action for a breach of promise of marriage be so properly decided as before lady judges, and according to the law amatory; in which case, it seems to be only common justice to allow a jury to be impannelled de medietate linguæ, half ladies and half gentlemen. Were this the case, we might reasonably expect not to have all our most refined and delicate feelings shocked with the degrading exhibition of the judge, the jury, the counsel, and the audience, indulging

See the advertisement to the “Arrets d'Amours.” It does not appear that Mr. Edgeworth's machine for riding over stone walls was known at this time.