Mr. Bentley’s New Publications 
15 
In Five Volumes small 8vo. with Portrait, 
THE HISTORY 
OF 
■ THE BRITISH NAVY. 
FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE REVOLUTIONARY 
WAS TO THE BATTLE OF NAVABINO. 
. 
By W. JAMES. 
‘The best naval history of England. Its impartial statement of facts is so well established 
that it was constantly referred to by French naval officers visiting my ship in the Mediterranean 
to decide any question in discussion.’— Admiral Sir Pulthney Malcolm. 
‘ This book is one of which it is not too high praise to assert, that it approaches as nearly to 
perfection, in its own line, as any historical work perhaps ever did. The principal transactions 
narrated in it, and we trust by this time the narrative itself, are fortunately too well known to 
require a detailed notice of its contents. But a general sketch of its plan, and the manner of its 
execution, will we think convince our readers that the high character we have given of it is not 
exaggerated. Mr. James commences his work with a very useful introduction, in which he 
briefly and clearly sketches the progress of Naval Architecture in Gi’eat Britain, apd the origin 
of the principal improvements in the British Navy before the time of the French Revolution. 
The history itself opens with the declaration of war in 1793, and closes with the general peace of 
1815. [The History has since been brought down to the Battle of Navarino.] Every year 
between these two periods occupies a separate division of the work; and every such division 
is subdivided under three heads, detailing respectively the movements of the hostile fleets, the 
j encounters of single ships and boat attacks, and all colonial naval operations. The research 
necessary to procure materials for twenty-eight such abstracts, and the labour of composing 
them, must have been so great, that they alone may be considered as a striking monument 
of industry. With a candour almost as uncommon as his accuracy, he never fails to notice any 
variation of consequence in the statements of the hostile party ; and either to refute it by argu¬ 
ment, or fairly to balance it with the opposing testimony. We cannot contemplate without 
admiration the impartial and unwearied zeal for historical truth which alone could have sup¬ 
ported him through his tedious and thankless labours.’— Edinburgh Review. 
‘A new and popular edition of one of the most valuable works in the English language.’ 
United Service Gazette. 
f A new and well-edited edition of our standard naval history. The interest in our navy 
never was so active as it is now. The desire to perpetuate that interest by showering upon our 
young people gift-books relating to the sea is more manifest every year. The book before us is a 
standard history and not a child’s book, but for that reason perhaps it is more worthy to be 
chosen as a gift-book for the boy who will soon have his manhood to assert.’— Examiner. 
