The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-02 00:00:00

United Service.

The " United Service" commences with the first
part of a review of naval and military expenditure.
This, a subject of much interest at the present time,
when there is such a universal outcry about the re-
duction of expenditure. Onr naval expenditure
is considered this month, and the writer shows how
the estimates for the navy must of necessity be con-
siderably greater in 1862 than in 1841. He says
that " while the pay of officers of the higher grades
has been but little altered, those of lieutenants,
masters, and engineers have been slightly increased,
while those of petty officers and seamen have been
considerably augmented." This is an increase in
expenditure to which nobody can object. A gra-
dual rise has taken place since 1841, at which
peeiod the average pay of all ranks was £3612.. 4d.
per man, while in 1862 it amounted to £l9 6s.—
while the victualling has proportionally in-
creased during the same period. Again,
the substitution of screws for paddles in
steamships, the lengthening and converting of old
wooden vessels, armour plating, and other necessary
expenses, all tend to swell the naval expenses. He
therefore advised that, until some satisfactory con-
clusion has been arrived at in .the construction of
armour clad ships, no more ought to be laid down.
We opine that the true excess in the navy estimates
arises from the waste in the dockyards, and for
which the Board of Admiralty is responsible. Wnen
such cases as that of the Active (a fine 40 gun
frigate) lying for 20 years at Chatham without ever
having been commissioned, and now being called
into service as a training ship, and many others
equally censurable, are before our eyes, it does
not require much perspicuity to see where the
shoe pinches. We have a long review of
" Professional Papers of the Corps of Royal Engi-
neers," which are highly interesting. In the por-
tion here noticed an account of the capture of the
Taku Forts, which of course contains much engineer-
ing intormation. We are glad to find that the
editor. intends to continue these interesting notices of
this valuable work. In an article on "Lowering
Boats at Sea,"-the parsimony of shipowners is justly
condemned in failing to provide their vessels with
patent disengaging hooks—such as are used
in the navy. The writer records an ex-
ample of this, which, although there are
are but few who would avow it, and, we trust, do
not know that they practice it, to a criminal extent,
we fear, is but too prevalent among merchants.
An extensive proprietor was asked not very long
ago by a naval officer why he did not fit his boats
with disengaging hooks P The reply will strike
most people with astonishment, " I don't sail my
ships for humanity's sake, but for profit." Snch
being the case, in some instances, should not the
Government enforce it. Lieut. W. Bryam (late of
the Bombay Army) furnishes an attractive
`' Sketch of Malta and the Knights Hospitallers," in
which he gives a description of the fortifications
and the island generally, besides entering into the
history of the Knights of St. John. So many
startling changes have taken place in shipbuilding,
and such wonderful results obtained since, in the
dock at Bristol, not twenty years ago, at the launch
of the Great Britain, Brunel's masterpiece of ship-
building, it was stated by ,nautical men
that they considered her too long slid would
not like to cross the Atlantic in her, that it would
be presumptuous to express any decided opinion
on Captain Coles's Tripod Tubular Iron Masts.
The theory may be right enough, but we doubt
if the practical results will fulfil his expectations.
In the article on Defensive Works, Iron Piates,
&c., the writer, after some remarks on the con-
struction of the new Prussian forts, in which he
suggests that "if the front, or exterior slope,' of
the stone parapets of these citadels is covered with
shot-proof iron plates, gradually rounded to meet
the upper surface of the parapet, the enemy's shot
will fly harmlessly over the heads of the defenders
behind them. He makes some judicious remarks on
the dress of the volunteers, in which he maintains,
and old lovers of uniformity will, we think,
agree with him, that it would be far bet-
ter, now that the volunteers have become a part
of the national army, if their dress were similar at
least in colour. Regarding the forts at Spithead and
other localities where it is deemed expedient to erect
such works in deep water he asks whether it would
not be cheaper and more expeditious to employ iron
piles placed close togetner rather than attempt solid
granite foundations, as proposed by the Royal Com-
missioners' With the experience of what has been
done by our civil engineers by this means when
thewe s
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e b h
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and of declared strength, the answer seems otvions.
A paper on Garroters, by a Military Officer,
contains his military views on the subject of treat-
ment. There is little new in his remarks, which,
however, are sensible enough. He would advise
hanging, but fears that that is unconstitutional.
A paper on the lonian Isles, and a tale of Green-
wich characters—a tale entitled" Daouda, the War
rior Chief," and general news, completes the
number.

Macmillan's Magazine.

The prominent feature in this number of Mac-
millan is a very interesting account of a visit to
Lutzen by Herman Merivale. This memorable
spot naturally calls up memories of the hero who
closed his career on its battlefield, and of the terrible
Thirty Years' War in which he was so prominent an
actor. Accordingly the paper before us is princi-
pally devoted to the life and character of Gustavus
Adolphus, whom the writer describes as " one of
the few in whom nobleness of heart and purpose,
and pre-eminence of genius were so fused to-
gether as to constitute the true character
of the hero." A professor of political economy gives
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• Nati3nal Sy
well quaiifird to judge; a
ticism of Dr. SLanley's " Lectures," and a ple„earnil
narrative of an excursion from Athos to saionica
which at a time when public attention is turned to
wards Greece is not without interest. The story of
" Vincenzo, or Sunken Rocks," by the able author
of " Lorenzo Benoni," is continued ; and the Rev.
Mr. Kingsley's quaint and singular tale of the
"Water Babies" is also proceeded with.

The St. James's Magazine.

The author of " Whitefriars" continues the story
of Madeleine Graham with her accustomed anima-
tion. The lovers of fiction will also find a tale
bearing the attractive title of " A Midnight Mar-
riage," and the aecount of some successful sharp
Practice ins'a sketoh called " Secrete of My Office."