New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-23
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
A HISTORY OF THE BRITISH NAVY.

$50 Macmillan & co.
Commander Robinson points out at least one
feature of British naval life which unites the
present with the remotest past known TO history
Blue is still the prevalent color among the sail
ormen OF the Queens ships. and blue they were
too when Queen Boadicea tried to turn back the
tide Of Roman invasion. The old British war
vessels were said to have been long. narrow
boats. carefully smoothed on the outside with
wax so that they might glide the more swiftly
through the water Their sails Were dyed
light blue color to make them less conspicuous
at sea, and the crews wore clothing of the same
color 1t may be euphemistc 10 speak OF their
clothing Like the landsmen Of Britain In
Caesars time they may merely have dressed
themselves for war in a thick film Of blue paint
At all events this was their militant color, just
as q blazing red laid on heavily was that OF the
North American Indian In his palmy days the
ships of burden which the Britons must have
had TO carry tin. cattle and hides to the Cont
nent were different sort of vessel. The author
supposes them to have been similar to those
used by the Britons across the Channel. an
cestors Of the present inhabitants OF brittany
These were strong vessels, with oak umbers
foot thick fastened with iron. high in bow and
stern and fitted with chain cables and sails
made Of hides. Nothing is said about their color
Taking both land and sea service together
Americans have revived the ancient British
tradition of blue uniform more thoroughly
than have their housekeeping relatives Com
mander Robinson quotes. but does not subscribe
TO- the remark Of Captain Limeburner in Miss
Porter's Life Of Sir Edward Seward. that
Admiral Noah wore the uniform Of British tar
on n certain famous voyage to the top Of Mount
Ararat But the Blue Jacket has not always
been b.ue The medieval knight or man-at-
arms when he fought at wore the armor to
which he was accustomed. and the first uniform
which Commander Robinson describes was that
Of the seamen employed by the Cirque Ports. "a
cote of white cOtyn with a red crosse and the
armes of the Ports underneathe." This appears
10 have been the livery of the mariners from the
Five Cities of the southern coast for long
time but Il was formally approved by Henry
VIII The six principal masters of the royal
ships wore coats Of fine red cloth in Elizabeths
time and that Of her successor. These coats
were trimmed with velvet and embroidered in
silk, with ships roses. crowns and other devices
The gunners some if not all who defeated the
Spanish Armada furnished with breast
plates. mOriOns and caps. But in general Com
mander Robinson doubts If the men who handled
oars or sails on medieval or early modern war
vessels could have worn mail. The tradition Of
them If it was forgotten it was recovered sud
denly when Sir Hugh Willoughby fitted out his
expedition to the North Seas in 1853. All the
mariners of his squadron were clad in skybue.
In later tmes-that is. from the days Of Charles
III to those of George distinguished seamen
dressed according to individual caprice; but the
greater number showed preference for red
faced with blue blue faced with red. II is
worth remembering that the military dress in
which Washington appeared at the Continental
Congress displayed the same colors. coat Of
blue with waistcoat and breeches of red. There
were times in the eighteenth century when
naval officers could wear with slight changes the
uniform Of army officers "Kcppel. however. in
1147 mentions gray faced with red as usual
colors and these were the colors Of the sop
clothing issued to the men" Changes in cut and
color too numerous to mention have taken place
since and it was only in 1912 that steps were
taken to insure absolute uniformity in the cos
tune Of officers and men.
This gradual process in matter Of compare
lively minor importance illustrates the history
of the British Navy in nearly all its aspects. 1t
was not a navy in any national sense Of the
term until long after English warriors had
shown their prowess on the sea. To most pco-
pie Hubert de Burgh is only the name of char
acter in Shakespeares king john" who has
the Infamous task of doing TO death the young
Prince Arthur But he has better tile TO
fame. 1t he who commanded the English
fleet when it met and Vanquished the French
Admiral. Eustace the Monk in Dover Straits.
The author compares this battle with those Of
Quberon Bay and Trafalgar. and he claims for
Hubert foremost place among the naval heroes
of the country 1t was really the weakness Of
the English realm that gave the opportunity for
this victory. The hopeless unpOpularity OF King
John. and his loss # the provinces which his
predecessors held in France tempted the French
King Philip. to initiate William the Conqueror.
His purpose was delayed b. the Englishmen. who
cut out and burned ,hene9t he had collected in the
harbor Of Damme But he renewed his efforts.
made landing on English soil, and gained the
good will Of the barons. John still had the loyal
support Of the Cinque Ports and arrested ships
OF all sorts for the King use. He did not live
to see the success Of his plans. The battle OF
Dover Straits was fought In 1916, al the begin
ming OF his sons reign. j. demonstrated once
for all that England could ~; b. successfully
invaded II she had ships enough 10 dispute the
approach Of the foe. The French King consoled
himself with wars and victories the Cont
nent which made his power the strongest In
Europe. But the forces with which this battle
was fought by Hubert de Burgh We're drawn
from only small corner OF England. When It
was over the ships dispersed. some 10 trade. but
MANY To take advantage Of the disorders Of the
time by playing the pirate. In this they only
followed the example Of private war and rob
berry set them on land. But england had greater
inducements than any nation Of the Continent
TO avoid ;hie predatory warfare on her own part
and to chastise IL IN others. Ali her trade was
In ships. while her traditional enemy. France,
could enrich herself by land and We; keep up
condition of anarchy at sea Two things appear
10 have followed from this state Of things The
demand in France for swift manageable vessels
stimulated the nvcntveness Of her shiphuild-
ers until 1t became a trait Of the race. while
England. from first q asst. has been slow y