22 Naval Architecture and 



Another periodical work was commenced on the same 

 day, January 1, 182G, entitled, Papers 07i Naval Architec- 

 ture. It appeared, however, that it was conducted on ex- 

 clusive principles, several papers having been refused inser- 

 tion in it, though coming from persons of undisputed at- 

 tainments in the art ; it was, therefore, judged expedient 

 and conducive to the best interests of the science, to con- 

 tinue tlie Essays and Gleanings, as it was founded on a liberal 

 and fair basis. Accordingly, the Essays and Gleanings made 

 its appearance every subsequent fortnight, offering to its 

 contributors a more convenient and beneficial opportunity 

 of adding information to the general stock. We are happy 

 to be able to say, that much good has been done by both 

 publications ; and, while we see emulation thus produced, 

 we cannot but think it highly beneficial. 



One peculiar advantage of the Essays and Gleanings over 

 the Papers on Naval Architecture, consists, in the former 

 taking a wider scope, — in the admission of practical, as well 

 as theoretical knowledge — the actual construction of the 

 machine, as well as the design of it. By this means, able 

 practitioners have contributed their valuable observations in 

 the art ; among which may be particularly mentioned se- 

 veral interesting communications from Messrs. Harking and 

 Blake, who are superior officers in His Majesty's dock- 

 yards. 



The Papers on Naval Architecture are almost wholly 

 confined to the enunciation of the theorems that have 

 been taught at the School of Naval Architecture, from the 

 works of Atwood and Chapman. It must be confessed, 

 however, that while all the problems so taught are proper 

 to be known, they form but a feeble instrument in guiding 

 the designer of ships. His information must proceed from 

 an enlarged view of ships used for war on the ocean; he 

 must be acquainted with the mutual relations of the dif- 

 ferent parts of a ship, and the relative proportions of the 

 various classes, in order to systematise his ideas, and form 

 a true theory from practice — for, in this case, theory must 

 be practice reduced to system. It is on this account, that 

 while we are glad to see Dr. Inman's translation of Chap- 

 man, with some vahiable notes and new theorems, we 

 regret that the materials to guide the constructor of our 

 floating batteries, v/hich may be found in that work, are of 

 so scanty a nature. 



We conceive that the theory of projectiles, as applicable 

 to gunnery, previous to the experiments pf Robins, was in 



