The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-13
. IS OF whom were boys.

The Java, which was taken by the Constitution,
who equipment we have given above, vas Of the
scme class as the Guerrero, but had the advantage
Of being much better manned; and We may here
The United States frigate-nominally . forty-six
gun frigste-was fully equal TO that OF seventy
four of that period. All these actions terminated
disastrousy Tor the British, though i'll fortune was
not always 10 wait on our banners. In the well
known case of the Shannon and Chesapeake, Broke
had fifty guns against ffty-six, broadside Of five
hundred and thirtyeight pounds against hve hum
dred and ninety, and three hundred and six men
against three hundred and seventysix, and had
moreover, q crew in first rate order, and long and
carefully practsed in gunnery. He was, therefore,
more evenly matched and his antagonist came gal
lantly forward TO meet him, which gave him the
opportunity OF boarding, after being only eleven
minutes under fre-the whole affair having lasted
only quarter Of an hour; but IL Is well known that
the Shannon had already suffered very severely IN
her hull and il s doubtful whether any serious pro-
longaton Of the combat would not have sent her. all
standing, 70 the bottom. IL is worthy Of remark,
however, that without counting the lamentabe mis-
understanding between the President and Little
Belt the frst five naval actions between the British
and Americans terminated in favor OF the latter
viz Guerriare and Constitution, Frolic and Wa~p,
Macedonia and United States, Java and Constitu.
ton, Peacock and Hornet. Then, however, after
more than years disasters, the fortune OF war
changed. The capture OF the Chesapeake was "a
pidy followed by that Of the Grower, Eagle, Argus
Essex aud President qualified. indeed by the loss
of the squadron Lake Cham plain and the loss Of
the Avon; and, upon the whole, the British flag
gained its national ascendancy, but much mischief
had been done in the meantime, and much discredit
thrown upon the British arms.
Now, in the event Of hostilites breaking ont be-
tween this country and the United States, and the
state OF ferment into which various circumstances,
which we need not specify, havs thrown the New
World, renders IL impossible for any one 70 predict
what may occur, In case OF such misfortune we
say that not only these disasters and these morti-
fcatons may occur again, but that IL is positively
certain that In a modified form they will do so.
We use the term modified because we presume that,
in such an event our Government will not suffer our
ships 10 attack singy vessels OF twice their force
but will direct the lighter armed vessels 70 cruise in
twos, or accompanied by squadrons OF those little
gun boats OF which we have recently accumulated
such number; but in the name Of justice T. our
officers and saors, let their ships be rated at their
true strength-not according to an obsolete mode of
chasing ships, In which six-pounder counts for
much as an eighty-four. Let our ships be armed
as fast az possible with heavier guns in fewer mum.
bers, and rated accordingly let a navy be formed
capable Of meeting any enemy OF It's own class
but, in the meantime, let as not AJAX
captains TO oppose thirtytwo Founders to eighty.
fours In equal number. The mere distance Of range
IL Of vital importance, and IL IL the height Of linus
fice both 10 the nation and the officers employed %
send them 10 what IL certain destruction the
my Be reasonably prudent: The order IN council Of
and classes fixed is wholly out of date now; Il
hardly contemplated gun heavier than q twenty
-four FOUNDER and never contemplated steam st all,
going ten miles an hour without stitch Of sail set.
The value Of ship as an instrument does not In
these days consist merely I'm the number Of her
guns-for in many cases the smaller ones are per
fecfly useless, and might a well be In the hold
but In the weight Of her broadside and the distance
abe can send Il, In her speed both under sail or
steam, OF both together; in the strength aud quail
~ OF her crew, and her own capacity Of carrying
shem, and her stores and guns; and &C sording n
such-the true elements Of her arength-she should
be rated; and according 70 system which has long
os.ssd 70 BE- applicable 70 naval war and which g
operations are at present governed.
Queen vs~s~r1s's Visit 90 Grosveuov House.
Mr.. Dallas Again at Court.
On the 10th Of June, Queen Victoria paid one Of
the highest compliments 10 the Marquis and March
ioness o. Westminster which royalty can confer on
suhiect-by honoring Grosvenor House with her
presence. Groevenor House was formerly The
dwelling o. the Duke Of Gloucester, younger
brother Of George Ill., and into the possession
of the Westminster family in 1905.
The Queen arrived shortly after 10 o'clock. Her
Majestey wss accompanied BY the Prince consort
and by ME Royal Highness Prince Frederick viii
The irussrioss party occupied, with the members
q The royal suites, seven Of the Queens dress car.
he Queen passed through the line Of guests in
the drawing rooms. courteousy scknow iedsing their
manifestations Of respect, she entered tn ball
room. Advancing TO the dais, her Majesty took her
eeat on the chair Of state, In front OF which the
members of the corps d,picmofigus and the principal
guests having passed and made their opeisance,
the ball was opened. Her Majesty led on in a quad.
rifle With The Earl Grcevenor, Prince Albert dan
cling with the Lady Agnes Grosvepar.
AZ twenty minutes 10 one o'clock, the Marquis OF
Westminster conducted the Queen 10 the gallery in
which magnificent supper was laid out for the royal
party. The services OF plate on the tasie were ~
extraordinary splendor. There we're ne less than
twelve gold and silver vases--race cups by the
horses Of the late marquis-and in the eentre Of