Introductory 49 



such as Jurien de la Graviere's "Guerres Maritimes," 

 Lord Howard Douglas* "Naval Gunnery," or, bet 

 ter still, from the lives and memoirs of Admirals 

 Farragut, Codrington, Broke, or Durham. The titles 

 of the various works will be found given in full as 

 they are referred to. 14 In a few cases, where ex 

 treme accuracy was necessary, or where, as in the 

 case of the President's capture, it was desirable that 

 there should be no room for dispute as to the facts, 

 I have given the authority for each sentence; but in 

 general this would be too cumbersome, and so I have 

 confined myself to referring, at or near the begin 

 ning of the account of each action, to the authorities 

 from whom I have taken it. For the less important 

 facts on which every one is agreed I have often 

 given no references. 



14 To get an idea of the American seamen of that time 

 Cooper's novels, "Miles Wallingford," "Home as Found," 

 and the "Pilot," are far better than any history; in the 

 "Two Admirals" the description of the fleet manoeuvring is 

 unrivaled. His view of Jack's life is rather rose-colored 

 however. "Tom Cringle's Log" ought to be read for the in 

 formation it gives; Marryat's novels will show some of the 

 darker aspects of sailor life. 



VOL. IX. 3 



