The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-18
BOOK NOTICES.

EUROPEAN ARMAHESrs IN 1867. BY Captain g.
Il. Brackenburg, II. A. London: Chapman N
Hall.
In this skeichy book, for is not to be regarded
scientific work in sense there il good deal Of in
formation obtained, mainly by the personal observation
OF the author and agresaby put together in the form Of
Of compilation from letters published in the London
Times At intervals AT the opening in treating OF heavy
ordnance have the writer's deliberate opinion thai
when perpetual motion has been attained "a perfect gun
may be produced, but not till then" In dealing with
the various subjects embraced 10 this volume the author
relies upon tho opinions and experiments which have
come vihia his reach rather than upon any theories
OF hrs own. For this We ought perhaps, TO De CRATE
fui, as IL leaves moro space the small compass
OF the volume for good deal Of interesting facts do
ducsd from actual experience well descriptions Of
the various knds Of and implements Of war pre-
ssnted at the Paris Exhibition. After skmmng through
such themes as Armstrong and Palsser guns American
rife cannon which no pronounces aiiure small srms
mines, military ,esgrsphs and torpedoes, have
chapter naval architecture full Of interesting details,
Among other things thee description Of the English
''fest Of the future des gned by Msssrs Napier, ~
Glasgow about which u Is no harm TO know something
IN view OF the construction Of our own feet Of the
futurs:-
Therei are eight classes of ships eIhibited-tb
ships OF the ne two frgates two corvettes and one
ocean despatch. They have Uniform estimated speed
OF fourteen knots except tho ocean DESPATCH which 10
provisions for three months range from $50 in the
Drsadnought to 800 in the vedstss. Nominal horse
nal horse power. Length between perpendicuiars from
ass feet $50 feet inches Tonnage builders meas
ursmsntl from 10, 7si tons to s.eis tons. The
principles or all those vessels the same the dmen-
sons only differing. Even the guns be carried are
equal IN caiibre, though varying number according
the size Of the ship and rather sinusing TO find The
same o1ncer, who in 1862 declared The IS. FOUNDER
smoohbore 70 be tho gun OF the future sprnglng
one bound the opposite extreme and calling Tor
Whitworth $50 FOUNDERS Of which only nave yet
been made, and not has stool the required
All the heavy guns arc to be carried IN turfs the con-
sruction OF the latter bong very strong according
Mr Napier's patent Their command above tho waer
line IS ior shps Of tho line 10 feet; for frgsos II
feet inches FOR corye,te IL feet incIcs This Is
1t should be, because u not only enables FRO 90
kept up In rough wesIher, but also exposes enemy
deck when ~ close quarters Blt as 800 p1under shot
and shells are expensive, there Us 10 DO array or
broadsdo guns Of low cabre to engage wooden SHIPS
Keep ant ire OF shrapne. Ihe turrets ars
not In line above the keel, but rayed scheli,
70 gam the greatest possible space visible 10 their
hrc. Tripod mas,s aud spar deck the tops o.
turrsts added to these models and 1t Ia intended
to have ample room IN the tops for ride are or
small guns Il required The wholo OF tho decE,
with ts suns, might be destroyed, and the decs
completely sho, away without interfering with tae tire
from the turreS, which projected down 10 below
the water line. Even the mode OF hanging the ruddcr
supposed new till another ~ ooel on the same
principle by side with the fleet OF the fu-
.are: There - double s.ernpts., plan generally
adopted oy the French, and in by ourselves
ships ought not 10 touch the bottom but they some
times do and tho extra strength afforded oy the double
post ia very strong and IL further protected by loose
irun cylinder. which can revolve whom struck. Good
steering claimed for all those SHIPS because
they are furnished with rudders the balance pru-
cipe, large In proportion to th1 length OF the vessel
Al q good compilation OF facts and data This book,
upon tho whole Is q useful one
TBE MEH OF THE TIME. A Dictionary Of Conten-
porsries, containing Biographical Notices Of
Eminent Characters OF Both Sexes seventh
Edition. Routedge & Sons London and Nes
York
In the seventh edition OF this already valuable book
We and many additions not only host Of new nsnec
aud addenda TO those embraced in tho earlier editions,
but the introduction Of biographical index Of the chsrac-
tsrs mentioned in the different previous editions Who have
since died Another useful adjunct to the volume Is
key to the assumed names OF writer's whose Identity WAS
clothed in yseudonym nodosiIy noted BY an initial
Another feature In the Asn Of tho Time ia tho pre-.
sencs OF quite number OF women OF note from opera
snoers and actresses to horesses and staeswofncn
Thsrs can be no objection 10 this innovation adds
much 10 the completeness OF the work and aiyes .
niche 10 ,bs sex who in all times have contributes
much TO make bistnry great and admirable. Many
OF the generals OF tue late ind placee
in the book also. aud furnish useful 10 the
pliers Of events thai remarkable incident Of our hss
TORI