20G 
SECOND BOOK. 
they are from the ships with which Penn wrested 
the islands from the Spaniards, or in which Benbow 
received his death - wound when he fought the 
French, about two hundred years ago ! How 
different from those which took part in the great 
battle when the French Admiral De Grasse was 
beaten, and our colony was saved by the gallant 
Rodney, whose statue is set up at Spanish Town, 
the old capital of the island. 
7 . Far more powerful are the war-ships of to-day; 
and the men they carry are as brave and as ready 
for duty as were those of former times. 
The British navy is the largest and strongest in 
the world. When we see the war-vessel at Port 
Royal, and think of the vast navy to which it 
belongs, we are reminded of the world-wide empire 
of which our colony is a part. 
8. In Kingston there are over three hundred men 
who, belonging neither to the regular army nor to 
the navy, come forward to be drilled at certain 
times, that they may be ready to stand up, if 
needed, for the safety of the island. In the country 
parishes, also, two or three similar companies have 
been formed. 
e. At present all militiamen, as they are called, 
have joined the military force as volunteers; that 
is, of their own free will. But should the occasion 
arise, the Governor has power to call upon men to 
join the militia. In this way a force of several 
