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It is the object of the present publication to give in full detail the measures employed by the author, to anticipate in such a wonderful manner the march of time, and to force, as it were, his woodlands in somewhat the same manner as the domestic gardener forces his fruits."

"But although we have found the system to be at once original, effectual, and attended with moderate expense, we are not sanguine enough to hope that it will at once find general introduction. The application of steam and of gas to the important functions which they at present perform, was slowly and reluctantly adopted, after they had been opposed for many years by the prejudices of the public. Yet these were supported by such effective arguments ad crumenam, as might, one would have thought, have ensured their advocates a favourable hearing." *

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"Notwithstanding all these obstacles, the principle is so good, and the application is so successful, that we shall be much surprised if, ere long, some professional person does not make himself master of the process, and proceed to strive for that eminence which he cannot fail to achieve, when it is found he possesses the art of changing the face of nature, like the scenes in a theatre, and can convert, almost instantly, a desert to an Eden. Nurserymen and designers will then find it for their interest to have the necessary machinery, and gangs of experienced workmen, to enable them to contract for raising, transferring, and upholding, any particular number of trees, which a country-gentleman, of moderate fortune, may desire to place in groups, or singly, in his park. The alteration will be thus effected without the proprietor, who wishes but to transplant some score or two of trees, being obliged to incur the full expences of providing and instructing superintendents, as if he meant to counter-march the whole advance of Birnamwood to Dunsinane. Earlier or later, this beautiful and rational system will be brought into general action, when it will do more to advance the picturesque beauty of the country in five years, than the slow methods hitherto adopted can attain in fifty."

MR. MATTHEW.

"We wonder much what fascination can exist to a mind of so much ability and culture as that of Sir Henry Steuart in decorating a few dull unprofitable acres,-causing a few bushes and bush-like trees to change place from one side of a dull green to the other!-laying digested plans of action, embracing a great number of years, to accomplish this very important feat, which most probably the next heir will make the business of his life to undo, by turning them back to their old quarters, if he does not, with more wisdom, grub them out altogether as cumberers of the soil! For ourselves, we would rather baa with the silly sheep, and nibble the turf, than pass our time in acting over this most pitiful trifling, or in publishing a memorial of our shame. We know not how others are affected, but there is no other place on earth where we have felt such oppression and weariness as in the extensive smoothed park and lawns around the country-seat. We sicken under the uniformity of the heavy-looking round-headed trees,-the dulness of the flat fat pasture, undecorated by a single weed, the quiet, stupid physiognomy of the cattle,-the officiousness of the sleek orderly menial. It may be we are very destitute of taste in this: here everything is experiencing satiety of sensual enjoyment, is full to repletion; every thing has been sedulously arranged to please, and we ought certainly to admire; but we have no sympathy with such a scene. The solitariness, the absence of men and of human interest, is not compensated by any of the wild charms of nature. There is small room here for the discovery of the habitat and native character of plants, no chance of meeting with a rare species, everything is modelled to art. The land-bailiff is an adept. With his dirty composts and top dressings, he smothers the fog and the daisy; the scythe sweeps down every idle weed, every wild flower, which escapes his large-mouthed oxen. The live smooth bark of the lush fast-growing trees, affords no footing for

the various and beautiful tribes of mosses and lichens. The fog-bee has lost its dwelling, the humble-bee its flowers, and they have flown away. Scarce an insect remains, except the swollen earth worm, the obscene beetle, and the bloated toad, crawling among the rank grass. There is a heavy dankness in the air itself. The nervous fluid stagnates under it,—the muscles relax into lassitude,-inexpressible depression sinks upon the heart."

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Who will not here perceive, that what the one author rakes indirectly, is battered by the broadside of the other? For ourselves, we rejoice in seeing such an additional proof of the versatile ability of the great Athenian;" and we only hope he will extend his lion-paw amongst political, as well as rusticating triflers, there being a foul nest of viles animæ for a satirist to rout out. Then shall Ennius, Horace, Juvenal, and Persius hide their diminished heads; and when she of the trumpet shall be asked by posterity, what was the bitterest sarcasm of the present era, the reply will unquestionably be, the rhapsody upon the "Allanton system of planting."

OBSERVATIONS ON THE TERM POINT-BLANK, AND ON THE POINTING OF GUNS.

IN the Number of this Journal for July (page 369) it is stated, "that the term Point-blank, so generally used, and yet so difficult to be defined, has been a great bar to improvement in the practice of Naval Gunnery." No definition of the term is afforded, but to meet the inconveniences arising out of its use, the advantages of a proposition by Captain Elliot, the present Secretary to the Admiralty, are insisted on: it is recorded, that Captain Elliot recommends "point-blank distance to be 250 yards, and the sights to be set on carronades at 30′ elevation, on long guns at 20', for this nominal point-blank."

The adoption of this plan would effectually get rid of the difficulties hitherto attendant on the use of the term point-blank, but it is very questionable whether others would not be introduced by it of equal intricacy and of greater importance; indeed, it is difficult to imagine what good can arise from arbitrarily terming a particular distance point-blank, without reference to the capacity of a particular gun. If the term be inextricably allied to difficulties, let it be dispensed with by a simultaneous order from the Admiralty and Ordnance; but for the sake of consistency, and in deference to the eminent men who have written in our language on the science of gunnery, do not let a meaning be affixed to the term pointblank which it has never hitherto conveyed, and which can only lead to perplexity in the adoption.

If the present Secretary to the Admiralty is desirous of establishing tangents for guns, at what he may deem the most useful ranges, be it so, and let 250 yards in all guns be termed the first range, or let any other appellation which may be thought proper be attached to it; but let Point-blank, if the term be retained in the service, continue to convey an idea of the effect of a particular nature of gun at 0 degree of elevation. Since it is necessarily of great importance that each branch of the service, and all persons interested in the study of dynamics, should be agreed in the signification of a term so frequently occurring, a particular

reference to its meaning, in the sense hitherto employed, may not be without its use.

As there are two modes of treating of the elevation of guns, one with reference to the horizon, the other with regard to a plane passing through the inner extremity of the axis of the bore and the object of fire, so are there two modes of treating of point-blank, which it is necessary clearly to distinguish. A gun is said to be laid point-blank for an object when the axis of its bore and the point aimed at are in the same plane; this plane may be either inclined or parallel to the horizon: to facilitate the placing the axis of the gun at point-blank, quarter-sights, as they are commonly termed, are usually placed on the base ring and swell of the muzzle, or sights answering to the dispart (that is to half the difference of the diameter of the gun at the base-ring and swell of the muzzle) are attached to the muzzle or reinforce ring. The quarter-sights, or notches, are parallel to the axis of the gun and raised above it a small distance, so as to prevent any impediment to the aim by the shoulders of the trunnions: a gun is said to be laid point-blank for an object when the plane which passes through these sights is coincident with the point aimed at. Strictly speaking, the axis of the gun is only parallel to this plane, and at such a distance from it is equal to the excess of the trunnions above the axis; the difference, however, is so minute that it is admissible to consider that the axis of the gun and point of aim are in the same plane.

It has been observed, that the axis of a gun may be either parallel or inclined to the horizon when laid point-blank for an object; but if a gun be spoken of as at point-blank, without reference to an object, it is considered that its axis is perfectly horizontal, without elevation or depression; which position of the gun may be obtained either by a spirit level or gunner's quadrant, or by bringing the quarter or dispatch sights and sensible horizon to coincide. And similarly, when point-blank range is spoken of, without reference to an object, or to the inclination of the plane, it signifies the first graze on the horizontal plane on which the gun stands, the axis of the gun being parallel to it; and hence the propriety, when detailing practice under such circumstances, of referring to the height of the axis of the bore above the plane; it is from the want of this necessary precaution that all the inconvenience attending the use of the term point-blank has arisen.

In the land service it has generally been deemed sufficient to note the description of carriage, as the height being thereby known, but in the naval service the plane on which the first graze must be noted is always as much beneath the axis of the gun as the height of the deck above the water, in addition to that height afforded by the carriage.

Further to elucidate the subject, it may be observed, that the elevation or depression of a gun is the angle formed by the axis of the bore meeting an imaginary plane passing through the extremity of the axis, which imaginary plane is either parallel to the horizon or to the plane defined by the coincidence of the axis and point of aim. If the elevation be determined by quadrant, the true elevation will be the result; that is, the angle formed by the axis and a plane parallel to the horizon will be ascertained; if by tangent, the elevation will be the angle formed by the axis of the gun, and the plane passing through the extremity of the axis of the gun and the point of aim.

Were it declared by competent authority, that in all military and naval reports, the elevation of a gun should be taken to imply the difference of elevation or depression of the axis of the bore, and the plane formed by the coincidence of the chamber extremity of the axis of the gun and point of aim, it would obviously follow, that point-blank would be limited, as to its meaning, to that position of the gun where its axis and object coincide,

or where the difference of elevation is 0; and the point-blank range would imply the first graze, supposing the axis of the gun horizontal. And hence a part of the possibilities of misapprehension hitherto existing would be removed, but the necessity of reporting the difference of the level of the axis of the gun and plane on which the grazes may be noted would still exist.

The tables referred to by the writer in the Journal are not known, but it is not usual to assume in tables generally, "that to hit a mark at or within the distance which is termed point-blank range, we should point directly at it, the gun being supposed disparted." The point-blank range has ever in the British service signified the first graze; the but-en-blanc of the French is indeed different; their arrangement may have its advantages, but to derive any instruction from a report of their practice, with reference to this expression, we must know the dispart of the gun and its length; since the elevation of the gun is that which, in the British service, is termed the line-of-metal elevation, namely, the elevation resulting from the dispart as tangent to the gun's length; it is the elevation resulting from the inter- section of the plane passing over the most elevated parts of the base ring and swell of the muzzle and the object, and the plane passing through an extremity of the axis and the same object. The but-en-blanc is the point where the shot in its course cuts for the second time the line of sight or line of metal produced, and will, if the object be correctly attained, be the bull'seye of the target; the but-en-blanc primitif or naturel, is the point where the curvilinear line described by the shot in its course first cuts the line of sight, the gun being so laid that the line of sight is horizontal.

The French then report their practice with reference to the bull's-eye of the target only, or to the point of intersection of the line of sight and the trajectoire, or line described by the shot in its course; the British refer their practice as to direction to the bull's-eye, but the ranges are reported from the grazes, either short, or on the farther side of the target.

Where convenience is afforded for reporting the deflection from the intended point above or below, it is highly desirable that such should be noticed, but generally speaking it is not the custom to do so, nor is it scarcely ever practicable, at least with the means at the command of officers.

Indeed, too much care cannot be taken in noting every particular connected with the practice of gunnery; there are few tables which can be applied in furtherance of the science of gunnery. It would be advisable, where practicable, that a report of practice should comprise a statement of the eprouvette strength of the powder; data for this purpose being fixed for every branch of the United Service. Besides a particular reference to the nature of the gun and its carriage, the windage should be stated, and the inclination of the line of sight; or, which is the same thing, the difference of level of the axis of the gun when horizontal, and the point of aim, or bull's-eye, should be noted. Any particular state of the atmosphere, and the direction of the wind with the range might be noticed, and if means were at hand, the velocity of the wind might also be registered. It has been well ascertained, that no variation arises in the extreme range from the recoil, but it may be advisable to notice this particular, and the inclination of the platform or plane on which the gun stands. A printed form might be made to convey all this information, with little trouble to the officer, and if its adoption did not lead to important results, it would promote

attention.

M.

ON THE CULTIVATION OF NAVAL AND MILITARY SCIENCE.

THE cultivation of Naval and Military science demands the serious attention of the British Government, because it is acknowledged, that the construction and capacity of our ships of war are much inferior to those of France and America; and because, in the late war against Napoleon Buonaparte, we found that in fortification, and in the attack and defence of fortified places, we were by no means upon a footing with the enemy, as the sieges of Badajoz and Burgos too clearly demonstrate.

I have observed that considerable praise has been bestowed on Sir Robert Seppings, for his proposed alteration in the construction of the sterns of the ships of the British navy, by forming them in a circular manner instead of square, and this alteration has been deemed an improvement, and, I understand, adopted by the Admiralty, upon a conviction, no doubt, of its great superiority over those generally in use; and it may be fairly presumed, that the following considerations decided their Lordships in adopting the alteration suggested by Sir Robert Seppings.

The square stern of our ships of war was defective in strength, and in its capacity for defence; the right line which it described did not admit of such a number of guns as the segment of a circle, and the angles which joined the stern to the sides of the ship were weak and defenceless; whereas, the circular stern will contain more cannon, and present both a direct and flank defence, and no ship in pursuit can give such a quantum of fire from her bow as the circular stern is competent to direct against the pursuer. This superiority arising from the nature of the circular stern must be acknowledged also an improvement, as connected with the strength of the ship, and her capacity in a retreating defence, and the Lords of the Admiralty are entitled to the thanks of their country in employing and patronising such an useful, intelligent, and efficient servant of the public as Sir Robert Seppings.

If, then, the superiority of circular sterns in our navy over the old system is unequivocally admitted by marine engineers, might not the adoption of a similar principle in the engineering branch of our military service be attended with still greater effects, and more important advantages? The knowledge of fortification, and the attack and defence of fortified places, has always been considered as the most distinguished acquisition in a military character:-but this species of military information seems to be confined to a distinct class of officers, few general or superior officers giving themselves the trouble of studying a science which requires an intimate acquaintance with mathematics, drawing, mensuration, and calculation. It often happens, then, that sieges are undertaken and conducted, and breaches declared practicable, which could not be entered by the bravest and steadiest troops in the world, as have been unfortunately exemplified in the attacks upon Bhurtpoor, Badajoz, and several other places. I am not disposed to assert that English generals are inferior in scientific acquirements to those of other services; but I am desirous of impressing on the minds of my military readers the absolute necessity of uniting a knowledge of fortification with tactical information.

Vauban, the great master of military science, is supposed, like Sir I. Newton, to have established principles from which there should be no departure; but I may ask with some confidence, what system, except that of the Universe, can be deemed perfect? and have not Cohorn, Montalembert, and Carnot, together with a number of inferior names, all proposed their particular plans; but they are all defective, because they are composed of right lines, and salient and re-entering angles. The right lines are liable to an enfilade, and to the operation of recochet fire; hence the ramparts of every

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