Gen. Washington's opinion on the recompense of Military Service. MR. EDITOR,-Gen. Washington, in his very excellent address to Congress after the extension of their independence, touching upon the subject of reward due to officers, fairly and honourably states his opinion in the following bold and expressive language:-" As to the idea which, I am informed, has in some instances prevailed, that the half-pay and commutation are to be regarded merely in the odious light of a pension, it ought to be exploded for ever; that provision should be viewed, as it really was, a reasonable compensation offered by Congress at a time when they had nothing else to give to officers for services then to be performed; it was the only means to prevent a total dereliction of the service; it was a part of their hireI may be allowed to say, it was the price of their blood and of your independence; it was, therefore, more than a common debt, it is a debt of honour; it can never be considered as a pension or gratuity, nor cancelled until it is fairly discharged." This is so much to the point as to the fair remuneration officers have a claim to for past services, that it requires no comment, but that it is equally applicable to officers in the service of England, particularly those who served throughout the whole of last war, although there are many who presume to place officers thus situated in the odious light the General in his address alludes to. No AMERICAN. The Frog-Belt. "Vel si, consuto vulnere, crassum Atque recens linum ostendit non una cicatrix ?"—Juv. Sat. iii. MR. EDITOR,-Having suffered from recent adoptions, which the innovators would uphold as economical contrivances, I cannot but indulge myself with a “currente calamo" complaint against the continued use of the Frogbelt. In condemning this inconvenient appendage, I am sure I shall be heartily joined by a very great majority of those" quos arma tegunt et balteus ambit;" whilst your Journal, not deeming this letter altogether inadmissible in its columns, may, perhaps, induce those who have subjected us to its cincture, to remove what is an infliction both upon the hip and scrip! The Frog-belt since its introduction, omne tulit punctum," has carried the whole sword, point and all, but certainly not answered every point intended. Without joke, the Frog-belt bursts the sides of its wearers, and as the left sleeve cannot always be kept at "arm's length" from the sword's hilt, constant attrition very soon presents an aperture with a calico eye a few inches below the elbow, so that, at the expiration of two months from the first day of self-induction, your new blue frock has become a very "scissa lacerna!" With a stitch in the side and a square patch in the sleeve you may just contrive two additional months wear, at the close of which space, having become "a reproach unto you," it is devoted to cigars and lucubrations, or with reduced consequence, humbly consigned to the protection of your boat-cloak. Four months then completes the durability of the blue-frock, and thus three of these coats are now requisite in the year; whereas, the like surtout during the existence of the sling-belt, could have been sported for six months to the credit and satisfaction of the wearer! My tailor's bill will prove, and the bitter experience of many will confirm, the truth of this statement. On foot, the Frog-belt with sword attached is a most awkward appendage when any celerity of pace is required; on horseback, at the trot or gallop, the hilt is a rude and restless projecture, whilst the blade acts as an uneasy lateral pendulum! Why not re-introduce the sling-belt, to the saving of one coat in the year? Surely innovations both uneconomical and unserviceable should be discontinued. Your complainant had, perhaps, been silent if the possessor "ducentis ad se cuncta pecuniæ;" but he must exclaim, whilst he classes himself with those Subs whose allowances only just act as fringe to their pay, and whose feelings of independence must be somewhat reduced when their means are contracted by caprice of taste and innovation! Portsmouth, Sept. 14, 1831. On certain Terms used in Gunnery. Δούλος ταπεινωτατος MR. EDITOR,—In a late Number of your Journal you asked what is pointblank?-In answer to this question I beg leave to say, that when a gun is placed on its carriage horizontally, laid and corrected by the spirit-level, this is its point-blank position. What is point-blank range?—with the gun-carriage standing on a level plane, point-blank range is the distance to which the shot will reach from the gun fired from its horizontal position, (as specified above,) before it touches the ground; and this distance is, for an 18, 24, and 32-pounder, about 340 yards, but varies a little from inequalities in the powder and other causes. If it is required to direct the gun so as to strike an object beyond or above this point, the point-blank position of the gun must be changed to what is termed elevation, and " When the gun has elevation, it ceases to be pointblank; for when it is point-blank, it has neither elevation or depression." Therefore, if an object rests upon a hill, and the gun be pointed directly to it, it is improper to say the gun is laid point-blank for the object, and it is useless to direct it so, for, by the theory and practice of gunnery, the shot would not reach it before it struck the earth. Can the point-blank range be increased?—If the gun is mounted in a higher place, as on the wall of a fortress or the deck of a ship, the pointblank range will be proportionally greater on the level or plane below. As to the derivation of the words point-blank, curvature of the earth, parabolic curve, &c. these I left in the academy, and send you this from the drill-ground. I have the honour to be, your humble servant, 3rd Sept. 1831. A newly invented Rifle Ramrod. R. Y. MR. EDITOR,-Having lately made a Rifle Ramrod on a new construction, I find it so very convenient, that I am induced to send a description of it for your valuable Journal, should you think it worthy of insertion. The principle will be easily understood by the figure, which is the exact size of the Ramrod of a very small German rifle for a military rifle it should, of course, be much stronger. I should also recommend its being made of iron, instead of brass. A is the main-piece of the rod, made of brass, into the end of which is screwed a steel-rod B, having a larger part at c, which slides easily in the brass-pipe D, between the plugs e and f, the end of the latter being hollowed to fit the bullet. The mode of using it is very simple: hold the cup at the end of ƒ on the ball, and strike a few smart blows by working the longer part A up and down; when the piece D, has sunk below the muzzle, proceed as with a common rod, without turning it end for end. In loading a rifle with a moderately tight ball, in forcing it down the first few inches, I have always found a difficulty which the new Ramrod entirely obviates. Yours, &c. GEORGE WARING. Bristol, Sept. 3rd, 1831. D EDITOR'S PORTFOLIO; OR NAVAL AND MILITARY REGISTER. AFFAIRS AT HOME AND ABROAD. The Coronation of their Majesties, King William the Fourth and Queen Adelaide, was celebrated in Westminster Abbey on the 8th of September. Every demonstration of joy which loyalty and attachment to the persons of the Sovereign and his Consort could suggest, was manifested on the occasion throughout the United King dom. The Reform Bill has passed the House of Commons and been carried up to the Lords. WARSAW fell on the 8th ult°. by capitulation; its external defences having been stormed and carried by the Russians during the two previous days. This important conquest was not achieved without great slaughter on both sides, and was marked by equal prowess on the part of the victor and the vanquished. The remnant of the gallant army which had maintained so brave and protracted a contest against superior forces, retreated from Warsaw, on the eve of the entrance of the Russians, and took post at Modlin, whence they are stated to have sent their submission to the Czar. If so, the war is ended. The triumph of the Russians, notwithstanding the inevitable exasperation of so furious a combat and so obstinate a defence, has been marked by becoming moderation: and, setting aside the abstract political merits of the case, there can be but one hope throughout the civilized world that the re-conquest of Poland may be attended by an amnesty for the past, and the realization for the future of those constitutional rights and liberal institutions, for which she has so nobly contended, and has proved herself so well fitted. There is nothing in the character or conduct of the Emperor Nicholas to discourage such a hope. The renewed and fatal disturbances in the FRENCH CAPITAL, though for the present subdued, at the point of the sabre and bayonet, afford subject for grave reflection and alarm. The pretext was the capture of Warsaw-but the cause lies deeper, and, as we have foreseen from the last outbreak of that vain and volatile people, will, we fear, sooner or later again convulse Europe, and possibly drive its banded nations into another self-defensive league. Liberty is the cry-war is the passion-dictation and conquest are the objects of the French people: with distress, distrust, and disunion at home, their overflowing discontents must find vent abroad; and Europe at large may once more be the arena upon which the Quixote of nations shall tilt at windmills. How It is not yet positive that the French auxiliary army has actually evacuated BELGIUM, but it is stated that they are to do so. ever, their virtual and paramount influence will remain with a host of General and inferior French officers, who have been retained by King Leopold to command, re-organize, and officer the Belgian army-an employment which, we understand, is rendered extremely difficult of attainment, if not inaccessible, to British officers on half-pay, in quest of honourable service. Another partial insurrection, attended with the loss of many lives, has been excited and suppressed at LISBON. We do not ourselves understand the liberality which denies even to nations the privilege of thinking and acting for themselves -which is reckless of positive evil in the pursuit of a shadowy goodand which deliberately excites fellow-countrymen to cut each others' throats, upon a universal-happiness principle. Sixty human lives were sacrificed in the above fruitless sedition. The Portuguese fleet, pirated by the French, has been conducted to Brest. HONOURS LATELY CONFERRED UPON OFFICERS.-The elevation of Sir James Saumarez to the Peerage has given universal satisfaction, and graciously exemplifies the sense of justice and kind feeling which actuate His Majesty. As an officer, the character and services of the Vice-Admiral of Great Britain are of the first order, while his individual qualities are calculated to add lusture to the Naval Peerage in the person of Lord de Saumarez. A Dinner was given by the Members of the Naval Club in Bond-street to the noble Lord, on his elevation on the 28th ult. at which Admiral Sir T. Byam Martin, G.C.B. presided. Without risk of invidious distinction, we may also view in the same light the honours conferred respectively upon Sir John Macdonald and Sir John T. Jones. Few officers have filled more various departments of military service, or with greater zeal, than the former; and it would be superfluous to exhibit a justification of the title conferred on the constructor of the Lines of Torres Vedras. ought to do, the ready nucleus and rudiments of a complete corps, and the perfect order and preservation of the stores and armoury, were in the ship, and creditable to Capt. Berford, highest degree satisfactory to his Lordwho, like his Colonel, is an old campaigner. NAVAL AND MILITARY LIBRARY being able to announce the opening of AND MUSEUM.-We had anticipated this institution in our present Number; the preliminary arrangements however, although not yet completed, are in such a state of forwardness, that a very limited period will suffice held frequent meetings during the past for this purpose. The Committee have month, at the house of the Institution in Whitehall-yard. The number of subscribers to the present date, amount to twelve hundred and seventy, and many additional contributions, since our last publication, have been made to the Library and various departments of the Museum. ROYAL NAVAL SCHOOL.-We are happy to find that the subscriptions to His Most Gracious Majesty, £100 annually. Donations. Subscript. Right Hon. Lord Selsey £100 0 0 Adm. Sir B. H. Carew Vice Adm. J. R. D. Tolle mache 50 0 0 52 10 0 550 20 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 500 1 12 6 200 Vice-Adm. Richard Dacres Rear-Adm. J. C. White FIRST ROYAL TOWER HAMLETS MILITIA. - The Earl of Munster, having been appointed Colonel of this regiment, recently inspected the Staff, commanded by the Adjutant, Capt. Berford, at Stoke Newington, their Head Quarters. The general efficiency of that body, forming, as it Rear-Adm. T. B. Capel Rear-Adm. Hon. C. Boyle 21 0 0 1 Rear-Adm. Hon. Sir C. Paget 10 10 0 2 1 5 0 150 |