The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-25

Cherbourg.. =. .266 IL o
Brest ........13 y
Rochefort $500. 1872 Is 1
Toulon. ........240 20
Total ........ .se5 Is 8 II =.
should be stated that in the French computations the
gun wharves and virtually yards added in, which is
not the in the English statement Making allowance
for this difference, Mr. Busk makes the superficial Of
the English naval dock yards 200 less than that Of
the French But Of the foryfour English slips in
USE says that only nine adapted for modern first
rates; while Of the hirty.two completed docks less
than twenty eight incapable Of receiving ships of the
largest Glass; The number Of employed in the Eng
iish dockyards 1859 1884 whilst in the French
for the same period it 22 225s0-showng The greater
activity and hustle Of preparation n tho lntter.
Since 1852 Mr. Bask states that France has added
sderabiy more than England the horse power Of
gines of the more powerful classes Of vessels The d
ference in favor Of France in that period 447 On
the oher hand England has added 1b,o7s in Of
France to the horse power Of engines for ves& below
the rank Of frigaaes BY the cudO tho thel
collective horse power Of the whole navy Of England vii
be 90 tl2 Of France, S2o44-showng close approxima
hon in this respect between the two navies.
AS regards the future, France determined
come the disparity that exists by the magnitude of her
engagements From the report preAxed report OF the
Minister Of Marine for 1885, it appears that
it is intended within fourteen years from tho
present time to raise the French steam navy to one
hundred and fifty vessels Of war Of various classes built
after the best models with engines OF full power in add
ton TO seventytwo steam transports, and in the meantime
TO complete the construction the several naval ports OF
the dry docks and factories indispensable to meet the
requirements Of the new steam feet The expense of
these works is spread the period extending from
1850 10 1871, and viii amount in the aggregate to
S4 900. BY the spring Of 1880 the French govern
eut will have aaoat and in perfect order feet Of forty
screw steam shipsofth six ironplated frigates,
thirty screw and nineteen paddle gaes, and twentysx
steam transports Of the class Of the Calvados.
The result Of the proposed additions to the English navy
during the present year will be twentys men Of war,
which is, it appears the limit Of the present aggre-
gate capacity Of the English dockyards. By the
Of 1850 is expected that the entire number Of
lneo battle ships in the English navy will be rails
ed to Aftysix with a considerable augmentation TO the
list Of frigates.
From facts above stated is evident that the French
have been rapidly gaining their neghbors within the
last few years in the race for naval supremacy In
contest which the introduction Of steam has rendered
of science rather Of physical superiority and train
ing remains to whether French ardG aided by
lavish expenditure, will not in the end attain marked
preemnence the already possesses in the
"tented field"
A MANUAL OF NAVAL TACTICS, together with Brief
Critical Analysis of the Principal Modern Naval
Battles. BY James II. Ward, Commander .. s. N.
With an Appendix, being an Extract from Sir
Howard Douglas NAVAL Warfare with Steam"
vol, 8vo. New York: D. Appleton Co. II
CAPTAIN Wards Manual possesses not only professional
but 90 historical value Whilst OF the most
pete treatses that has yet been published on naval
tactics gives US an accurate description Of the evou
haiti wit
illustrating the positions and movements Of the hostile
aeets For our own part until took up this volume
VIC had never formed definite conception Of the daring
holiness and splendid seamanshp Of Nelson's achievement
in the battle Of the Nle Of the high resolve and per-
severng courage in repairing error and retrieving loss
which gave TO Perry the victory Of Lake Eric.
Although the title Of the book indicates it to be merely
manual Of naval tactics, the honorable Secretary Of the
Navy to whom il is dedicated, will find in it fund Of
suggestions which will prove invaluable to him In the
discharge of his important duties. We commend to his
special attention the subjoined extract, which, from
opinions that constantly reaching in regard TO Sc
lectons made for important positions afoat TO the der
Of discipline and efficiency, doubt not expresses
the sentiments Of our best officers
The eclut won in extra professional pursuits dazzles
Our capable and ambitious young officers, attracting
them from the nautical branch Of the servcethat in
which, than in any other, the practical experience
becomes aggravated by the obstacles to the achievement
of nautical reputation for, besides much other dis
couragement young officer finds pre- eminent
in the trying situation Of executive officer the earliest po
son ardng opportunity for the display Of an ability
which the comfort character and efficiency Of ship Of
war largely depends held should be by the De-
partent recognized claim TO distinction Hence, chilled
in his aspirations he turns away from that element on
Norris, the fame of Decatur and McDonough The Of
fee Of First Lieutenant is too important TO be lightly filled,
and he who brings to the discharge Of its onerous duties
high ability and sacrifices to ali considerations Of personal
ease and ganers from its severe schooling the best pre-
paraton for command should no longer be permitted TO
feel that the sacrifice has been in vain.
We predict for Captain Ward very many readers on
both sides OF the Atlantic and take leave Of him with the
hope that commander who KNOWS so well how "to
beguile the edum Of service the African station may
have the opportunity Of flying his pennant
more active scene.
The TELEGRAPH MANUAL By Tol P. Shafner Of
Kentucky. Pudney & Russell.
This is a compilation Of very great value. 1t gives
complete history and description Of the semophorc cleo
trio and magnetic teegraphs of the world, and is illus
trated by upwards of six hundred engravings and d
grams These all executed in very superior style,
and comprise number of beautiful steel portraits of the
men who have contributed most to the Improvement
adoption and extension of the electric telegraph this
country
HISTORY OF THE WESTERN INsURRECTION IN WEST
ERN PENNSYLVANIA, commonly called 1.-The Whis-
key Iusurrection," in 1894. By II. A. Bracken-
ridge.
The volume before revives the souvenirs Of bttor
personal controversy the merits of which have long
been decided by public opinion The historical facts
nccted with it, however, possess interest which justify
its publication, the particularly as the FIRST history
Of the nsurrection, published by Mr. Brackenridges
| father, has long passed out of print.
BLACK DIAMONDS. By E. A. Pollard, of Virginia.
Pudney Il Russell.
Rabd ahoitinnists and preiudiced foreigners should