The Sun.
London, England, 1818-12-31 00:00:00

FOR THE SUN.

NNVAI, SUPREMACY.
MR. EDITOR,—The Israelites of old complained
that tht-y could not make bricks -without straw ;
and if England, at the present day, expects every
matt to do his duty, it is but fair that every roan
should he taught to do bis duty, before such
:a
result can be expected from himi
That this idea is not a new one, in regard to
out Naval Force and Maritime Commerce, is evi-
dent nom the tact of CHARLES the Second, who
may he styled the Father of the British Navy, and
of British Commerce also, by the Navigation
A ct, having established the Mathematical School
at Christ's Hospital, for the express purpose of
educating the pupils for the sea service, either in
Lis"Majesty's ships or the Merchants' employ.
In regard to this view of the subject, and in
reference to an existing vacancy for the Head
Master4tip of that School, togethel: with the offi-
cial Selection of three Candidates who are Lands-
men, the whole of the Naval Candidates being
rejrcted, I have already sent you some observa-
tions which it is unnecessary to repeat, but to
ivitieh some others may be added, as the day of
election is not yet gone past, and the welfare ,or
ruin of that valuable nursery for Sea Officers re-
mains yet undecided.
The Nautical Profession, Mr. Editor, not only
combines science and practice, but also requires
a third desPeraturn, distinct from both, though
compounded of them, which may be called Scien-
tific Practice, or Practical Science, a desideratum,
the knowledge of which can only be possessed by
those who, to a good mathetntical Imund a!i on of
nautics, have added a long and varied experience
On the Ocean.

If such is necessary to make the finished Sea-
man, who hut the judicious Seaman can impart
even a ray of that knowledge to the youthful
aspirant in the studies which are to fit him for his

Country's service ?
'Tis not the deep reasoning of a Nawrom, the
mathematical genius of a SANDERSON, or the ac-

curate investigations of an EMERSON, though
elegant additions to practical professional know-
ledge, chat will fit the Sea-boy for his future ele-
ment. Had NnwToN himself ,been a Candidate
for such an office, I s,ould consider him as ineli-
gible, how much More then must those be, especi-
ally in cohip.arison with nautical Candidates, whose
knowledge of mathematics, however fitted for the
meridian of Cambridge, can have nothing in com-
mon with that fitted for the meridian of Green-
wich ? By the regulations of the school each boy
has only four years to acquire the knowledge re-
lative to his profession, and, unless be possesses
both genius and industry, he is not likely to pass
sooner through the course assigned co him. To
ground him well in the'necessary acquirements is
then a primary object, superior to all others, and
one for which the Tutor ought to be specifically
qualified, otherwise valuable time is sacrificed, and
a nautical aspirant sent forth deficient in that ele-
mentary knowledge on which his professional

advancement must depend.
'Tis true, indeed, that the Master, whoever be
may be, baiS ROBERTSON for his guide; but even of
RorsEaTSON 'tis only a part that is absolutely and
impetiously necessary to be studied by the pupil,
though it is extremely proper that he should go over
the whole of the course, as there is no part of it
but forms a link in the grand chain of Nautical
Science. To make the four years then fully an-
swerable to the purpose intended, the power of
making a judicious selection, and enforcing a
due investigation,
,is absolutely necessary ; but
can a Landsman possess that power ? I will at
once say, No ! as every man conversant with sea
aff,drs will acknowledge, though the proofs of
it. wool" far exceed your possible ►imits. Nor is
that power to be acquired by books. Sir, there
are questions put by boys, in the course of their
studies, which a Folio could not explain, though
a practical man can illustrate them in a couple
of sentences !—and on the accuracy of this fact
alone, the question might be allowed to de-
pend.

I again then repeat the question, and put it to the
Governors of that useful Establishment, on whose

decision so many weighty interests are at stake—
Is the Mathematical School at Christ's Hospital
to be restored to its original purpose and inten-
tion, or 'must its interests and those of the Naval
Supremacy of Britain be sacrificed by the adop-
tion of Candidates who, however gifted with ma-
thematical learning, however distinguished in
their own professional course, or by their own
nioral and personal characters, must be, from the
very nature of the orginal intention of the School,
totally unfitted for the duty, in comparison with
tnen of nautical practice ?

The question is an important one; I hope
those interested will take a

HINT.