New-York daily tribune., 1863-07-06

TO- tho plans Of the Gel ebra'ed Vauban. The funds
OF the exchequer, however, al that time preve ted
these works being cbrred ouf 10 any great extent,
end Cherbourg during the memorable seven-years'
war, was unable 10 Withstand an a,'ack foOm tn.
Brilsh, who not only demohs.ed tie works, and
either destroyed or carried of ths guns,
tut levied upon tho inhabitants n
contribution Of ~ 200 livres II was not till Loois
XVI had beeu some time on the throne that the
f,rtlfcAiious we're resumed; and from 1881 wheo
the break water was commenced. uutii the present
day, the works recently completed may be raid TO
have been seduiously carried on, although st times
they were ether interrupted or entirely de-
stfoyed by terrific storms. %
The break water, which is the most magnificent
IN existence occupied 40 years in It's construction.
To the action of the it opposes wall OF dressed
masonry 20 feet 10 hight, carrying parapet fee'
in thickness and feet high along its whole lie Rth
az, ,333 fsei) At its base, its average breadth IS
about $50 feet, and its blight from 81 to 90 feet.
Within it, va,t ares it incoses some 2,ooo ncT.s o.
water afording ample anchorage for all the men-of
war; of all descriptions, which France is likely ever
to collect in this quarter.
Next 10 importance TO Cherbourg, undoubtedly, is
Brest, standing as 1t does upon one OF The most
m gnifcent HORRORS in the world, only accsssi'
bic through single well fortified ana narrow chan-
rel. There two ports as we'll as Lorlent snf Roche
fort 10 the Bay Of Biscay, are placed on the Western
Coast of France.
Toulon, in the Mediterranean. is tho second naval
port Of the Empire. Its position is naturally very
srong standing 1t does IN the hollow formed ny
deep bay, and which are the outer aud the inner
roadsteads. Bsbiad 1t, the notbward, rises, tier
upon tier, range OF rocky bights, on which wher'
ever fort could be posted or battery erected,
guns have been placed IN position almost 70 The sum
I'll of Mont Fsron, 100 feet above the sea Level.
The Fronch also possess sixih naval port on the
African Coast at a! ,er-.
THE INSCRIPTION.
TIE impressment system OF providing men for the
navy was abandoned by France 300 years ago, aud
the maritime inscription was substituted for II by
the far.sghted Minister of Lous XIV. The pria-
cpal features Of this syaten which unes the whole
body OF French seanlen into one family may be thus
briefly described:
Every man who IS in any way connected with the
ses on the coast at tie mouths " estur.es, and
i, therefore acquainted with shipping, is entered
upon the marine mustsrro first Professionally, aOd
ls,er, when to has declared that he will remain q
seaman, dsiuItively. The length Of time for which
heir services az tho disposal Of the country ex-
tends from their eighteenth 10 the coml Teton OF
their fhieth yoar; but in time Of peace. they eau
obtain their discharge by giyiog years uou OK
th,r desife 10 withdraw from seafarin2 life SuH,
as loug as their names remn1 upon The list, they
liable 10 be called out. The number Of men upon
tue lie, Ct the present tine il 10000, who are all
lablo to be called out In time oi war.
THE FRENCH SAILOR.
That Frencbmen have TO capacity for a seafsrins
llie, aud that france, consequently cOuIl never
hope TO hold prOm.peD, position On tho ocean, was
Tor ages the dCsged Gicsum OF Br.annia.s ira eons
hs, however, has been proved 10 q certain exieut
10 be Of judgment, as the records of nayll
history point To extraordinary number OF lu-
stances. wlore French COMMANDER have only struck
thrir colors when their y,ssel WAS sinking benealh
Ihem, or was TO riJdled With shot that it would
have been beyond humgn power Ia have saved her
However unpopular naval hfe may have been 10
Ffelohmen years ago, 1t 10 nos 80 any longer.
70 tie pnnce de Jolnyille ID due the credit oi max
iux tins branch of iho national service popul. Inc
cOdiss OF policy traced out by hm Las been wiseiy
pupued By Louis Napoleon. and his sabJects can
now look with pride snd sa.lsae ion upon The WORK
which, ios.eTed and iulhlled ty h's geaIus, ha.
secured ~ France the iIposnS position she now
maintains IN toe s.. ale Of naiious.
Ibe Cdlneaa war 0. ened Tue eyss Of the Eng ish
to TIE lac. that TIE French sailors oi to-day 10
0uger tue men OF oUo, and la rrsYeci inferior 10
themselves. lie mslptouarce " sn experimental
feet, commenced in 1910, Las Ucen nursery o! the
present. most efceuye boly OF oIieers xnd men,
while tLe gunners and artllerisIs who must remain
ia the for ten yesrs, are trained theoretically
ana praelc ly ana linus thoroughly grounded Ia hi.
tho principles Of tho The schools III which saa-
nesy s taught turn oat 800 .c.eus artioTsss year
.y pesde being OF u-o IN the formation oi eileieni
uol-conlI.itsOued OIlcers oI ali gmdes.