Nautical Economy. 21 



for this radical deficiency merited the attention of every 

 well-wisher to the true interests of Great Britain." It 

 is with regret it must be remarked, that the society to- 

 tally failed in their object, by wasting all their energies and 

 funds, in attempting to investigate the laws of resistance. 

 In taking this step, they injured considerably the interests 

 of naval science in this country, as will be presently no- 

 ticed. 



The murmurs and complaints, which we thus see rever- 

 berating through the nation, at length were made the sub- 

 ject of parliamentary interference. From the legislative 

 authorities it echoed to the throne ; and finally, by order of 

 council, the proper remedy was proposed, and carried into 

 effect, of expressly devoting young men of distinguished 

 talent to the professional art of ship-building. The country 

 at large, by public advertisement, detailing the most flat- 

 tering prospect, and encouraging treatment, was invited to 

 send its youth of education and ability to an open competi- 

 tion, in which the successful candidates were to be elected, 

 and further promoted, solely from their merit. This im- 

 portant measure, which had long been pointed out to us for 

 imitation, by the French and Spanish governments, with 

 whom it had been so successful, was definitively regulated 

 by the Board of Naval Revision in 4808. A school of 

 naval architecture was therefore attached to the Naval Col- 

 lege, Portsmouth ; in which the students, chosen as above 

 mentioned, are initiated in the elements and practice of 

 their profession. As their attainments are carried to a wide 

 extent in the mathematics, their capabilities are enlarged to 

 a full and competent examination of their professional 

 duties. 



The work under consideration is the production of a few 

 of these gentlemen. Its object, as expressed in its intro- 

 ductory pages, is " utility." It not only comprises original 

 matter, but invites communications from all conversant with 

 naval matters ; and it leaves its pages open for the recep- 

 tion and collection of the vast quantity of valuable infor- 

 mation published in foreign works. Thus, while it diffuses 

 the principles of the art, it excites a spirit of inquiry. It 

 was thought preferable to publish its matter in small and 

 frequent portions, rather than in large numbers, for the 

 purpose of admitting more extensive circulation, and com- 

 municating earlier intelligence of passing occurrences in the 

 art. We are sorry to observe that there is now a suspension 

 of these interesting labours. 



