The average expense of this Establish- | rally speaking, if not always, be aeemed ment, including table money to Officers, is impostors. 17s. 10d. per day for each ship. The expense of the Medical Depart-express a hope, that the means adopted by ment is about £1. 12s. per day.

The Committee cannot make this report without acknowledging the prompt attention which has been paid to the several applications which the Committee have had occasion to make to the Lords of the Admiralty, for Vessels, Stores, and Medicines; to which attention they feel that the success of their exertions in speedily reheving the distress of the unfortunate objects of their care, is very materially to be attributed. The Committee have also received 300 suits of Clothing, from the Secretary of State for the Home Depart

meat.

EMPLOYMENT.

A certain number of Gentlemen have undertaken to superintend the employment of the Seamen, and the Admiralty has given directions to the Navy Board to supply a quantity of Junk, to be made into Points, Gaskets, &c.

The solicitude to be useful, (which has been strikingly manifested by the attention of the Nautical Members of the Committee) has been confined to no particular class or sect. And the Committee have not been usmindful of the moral improvement of the men-the Rev. James Rudge, A.M. and Mr. Maule, have repeatedly performed Divine Service on board the several receiving ships -Bibles have been distributed-and the general conduct of the men during Divine Service has been most exemplary.-Dr. Blake, R.N. and Dr. Rankin, of the Hon. E.L.C.S. have gratuitously contributed their

medical aid.

The Committee considering that the objects for which they have been appointed, will have been effected by the 14th of this month, have given notice, that after that day, no application for relief will be attended to; except from such seamen as shall be actually diseased; or disabled from labour by age, bodily defect, or infirmity.

The Committee consider it of importance that the public should be informed of their having prolonged the period of their examinations to the above date, in order to afford an opportunity to every proper object within the Metropolis, of becoming an applicant for the benefits of the charity, (of whom very few have lately presented themselves:) and that therefore such as continue to infest the streets of Westminster, and places at a distance, from the immediate operations of the Committee, may, gene

The Committee desire in conclusion, to

them, (due allowance being made for the little time allowed for deliberation,) are such, as the public will approve. They can assure the Subscribers that never was charity bestowed upon objects of greater interest, or by whom it was more wanted, or more gratefully acknowledged; and, for themselves, the Committee can with truth add, never was their time employed more to the gratification of the best feelings of their nature.

The Committee of Finance report, that the total amount of subscriptions received by the Treasurer is, £11,938, 14s. 10d.

The monthly expenditure of the Establishment is about £1,000 exclusive of Cloaths, Bedding, and Ship Chandlery.

As soon after the 14th current as the

Committee shall be able to ascertain the number of individuals composing the various classes described by their arrangement, they will report for the information of subscribers the measures proposed for the ultimate disposal of the whole remaining on board.

J. E. GORDON, (Hon. Secretary.)

They have great satisfaction in being able to state, that the arrangements in favour of Patients on board their Hospital Ship are not surpassed by any institution of a similar nature on shore; and that a decrease of 62 has been effected in the number sick since last Report; indeed they feel, that it would be an act of injustice to the Gentlemen entrusted with the charge of their establishment, generally speaking, not to mention, that the interual state of

every Vessel is such in point of cleanliness and comfort, as reflects the highest credit on their exertions.

Two Clergymen have been engaged to perform Divine Service and execute other religious duties, on board the several Ships, and have undertaken to pay particular attention to the Sick.

It is with great reluctance that the Com mittee feel themselves obliged to state, that certain Parishes have taken advantage of the liberality of the contributions; and applications have been made by persons having regular parochial settlements, which they have been induced to leave, for the purpose of soliciting aid from this subscrip

tion.

In consequence of such attempts at imposition, the Committee have considered it their duty to publish for the satisfaction of the Public, that a former Resolution which confined applications for Relief to be made within a limited period, will be scrupulously adhered to; and that hereafter no more applicants, of any description whatever, will be received."

with the Right Honorable the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen upon the subject of parish cases, and the necessary forms and means of conveyance.

The Committee, in conclusion, are happy iu being able to acquaint the Public, that in consequence of the daily decrease in numbers, a reduction of their establishment will take place on Monday, the 9th of March, by the return to his Majesty's Government of oue of the receiving Ships. J. E. GORDON, Hon. Sec.

No. 27, Poultry.

A Cruise, or Three Months on the
Continent. By a Naval Officer. With
coloured engravings. 8vo. Ss. Law and
Whittaker, London, 1818.

THIS elegantly executed volume, is offered to the public as the spontaneous effusion of a sailor, let loose from his professional employment, and viewing with curious eyes scenes to which be had hitherto been unaccustomed.' It is precisely such a book as we should expect from an intelligent officer, who travelled with the design of seeing men and things as they really are, undistorted by the misrepresentations of party, and without cherishing an overweening contempt for every thing that is not wholly British. Wisely passing iu silence cities, towns, and scenes, that have been described by preceding tourists, almost to satiety, the author has sketched, with a lively pen, those traits of national character, manners, and customs, which escape the notice of less observant tourists, and has presented us with a three months' Cruise,' which, unless we are mistaken, will become a favourite with the public.

Embarking on board a vessel in the

On the subject of disposal, the Com-Thames, our author and his companion mittee would beg leave to state, for the information of the Public, that the Seamen capable of employment as such, are in active demand, and that they are warrant ed to hope, that their establishment will shortly be cleared of them; that Foreigners and men of colour desirous of being forwarded to their respective countries, or His Majesty's colonies, have been distributed in charge to gentlemen, whose connection with such situations will enable them to furnish and facilitate the necessary conveyances; and that they have requested permission to communicate, by deputation,

were in due time landed at Ostend, whose fortifications, of course, occupied their attention. Thence they proceeded through Bruges to Ghent, in a trackschuyt, the excellent accommodations of which are noticed with deserved commendation. In strolling through the streets of the last mentioned city our travellers were struck with the reserve in the manners of the inhabitants, forming a strange contrast with those which they had observed in the South of Europe.

Outside the window of many of the day, yet with all our caution we were houses were fastened one or two mir ors, sometimes misled; in one instance it was reflecting all that was going on in the irresistible. Two young boys, in the dusk streets; so that the curiosity of an inmate of the evening, squatting in a corner, sent might be gratified, without their exposing forth the most lamentable cries, as from themselves. My companion, in walking persons expiring of hunger, though a few on the promenade by the banks of the sous quieted them; we strongly suspected canal, observed a lady's face eagerly intent that it would not be long before they reon a glass of this sort, and with a good deal sumed their piteous duet. Many without of coolness give her a nod; it was almost limbs, who, perhaps, had once contemptu. immediately returned, and occasioned much ously defied our armies in combat, now laughter amongst the party inside. This slavishly kneeled to us for the paltry copis a general piece of furniture attached to pers we were determined to refuse. When most of the houses throughout Holland, a a passenger did open the purse-strings of his circumstance we were as yet unacquainted heart, we could see them laughing over with, which, from its novelty, heightened and counting the sum of his charity, in a the amusement, and ranks as one of those manner that would leave some room to trivial things which I have so repeatedly to imagine that they were regularly organized; remark, as forming a striking feature in one party attacking at a time, and leaving the composition of the Dutch character. off the moment they arrived at the next The churches and other public places corps de reserve. It may be wondered, of resort, attracted the notice of that with an excellent police, they do not our author and his companion. The seem to pay attention to this host of vagrants. I have since heard this extreme mode of shoeing horses in this city, poverty accounted for, from the manufacwhich (it seems) is common through-tories employing two, where formerly they out Flanders, is about as barbarous as had thirty, thousand at work. any we have ever seen or read :—a leather strap was fastened to prevent the animal from kicking; the leg, on which the operation was to be performed, was then drawn up to a cross beam, with a rope, high enough to enable the farriers to hammer and file at their ease, while the poor horse was, in a manner, confined to the stocks. The shoe was put on excessively hot; so that when the animal was liberated, he could not put his foot to the ground for several minutes. The number of beggars in Ghent is beyond calculation.

They are stationary in every street; the different ways they invent to attract attention, not to mention the importunity of all, harrasses a person uuused to this degraded manner of earning a livelihood. The plan of employing infants appears to be most common: one was trained to lie in a dead sort of slumber on the shoulders of a boy; though perfectly asleep, yet by long habit the infant clung like one of those cats which Smollett has attached to the shoulders of Cadwallader: others were taught to hold out their hands while the bearer trotted after each passenger; agreeable to Sterne's remark, they generally left off the pursuit when a lady came in the way, being surer of charity. Often we were obliged to divide, so as to leave their attention distracted; in short, it was an occupation to avoid their importunity throughout the

Antwerp, with its various edifices, next engaged our travellers' attention. Among other curiosities, which they saw at this place, the gardens of the of these is described, at some length, opulent are not the least striking. One and as similar gardens are the general hobby-horses' of the principal inhabitants, we are tempted to transcribe our

sailor's account of it.

Mr. S, to visit his country gardens.
We had this day an engagement with
Our ride out to this place was equally
beautiful as that which I have already
described on the other side of Antwerp:
we however remarked, that the trees were
a little better than we had yet met with;
for although this was the season in which
every thing wss seen to advantage, there
were few fine trees: they all appear slender.
and small; we did not see a good oak
amongst them. We were now to be gra-
tified with a very different sight; the
den of a private individual, laid out with
all that taste and fancy can collect, or that
caprice can imagine; there were about
six miles of walks through gardens, shrub-
beries, fields, wildernesses, and woods;
these were variously intersected by ponds
(containing a quantity of large roach, tench,
and carp ;) covered with swans and water-
fowl; beautified with grottos, ornamental
bridges and boats in the Chinese style of
building; besides which, there were a

gar

|

Empress Maria Louisa, when Bonaparte
was making the tour of Holland, spent two
days and a half in this delightful retreat ;
whilst he himself was visiting the forts,
forming his plans of improvement, and
burning the manufactures of his enemies.
Mr. S
whether lame, or pretend-

number of pagodas and little retreats where he had placed painted images in different postures. After passing through some fine parterres of flowers, feuced round with box wood, cut into numerous devices, with rows of niches filled with busts, we were led to a hermitage, built of the bark of trees; in the inside was seen, sitting on aning to be so, kept his room during their arm chair, a reverend hermit fast asleep, stay. We left this elegant and tasteful with a Bible on his lap; two young mice paviliou, and were conducted over several are venturing abroad, while a cat is on the bridges, passing temples hung with bells, watch to seize them, all so naturally done, and boats, all in the same style. From the that while it at first startles, and again highest arch of one we saw various sorts of engages the attention, through the upper fish, even to the bottom. After going part of the door which is open, the garde- through a shrubbery, all of which was ner pulls a bell, and a shower of water undermined, we descended into a cave, pours on the neck and shoulders of the as- opening out at the foot of the bridge we tonished stranger. This seems to be a fa- had left. Here one may have a cool and vourite Dutch joke; happily for us, it was delightful bath in the hottest day. Another out of order at this moment. We met with | field presented itself, in which there was a places for children to swing on, fitted with wolf tearing a cow to pieces, while she is figures of swans and sea-horses; and pass defending herself by the horus. Nor, ing through a field of sheep, so natural though several more grottos crowded on us, that it was difficult to doubt their reality, did we think there would be an end to this we arrived at a tomb, with the bust of a magic treat, before we reached a pile of figure pointing to the inscription, "Vanitas ruins, making a sort of summer-house, with vanitatum, et omnia vanitas." Entering the seats before the door, where the unwary sepulchral mansion through a subterrane- stranger is again immersed in a tub of cool ous winding, we came to a figure of Dio- spring water, and roused from his enchantgenes in the tub; here they again pulled a ment. There were extensive hot and green rope, and Diogenes grins upon you while houses filled with a host of exotics. the waters pour in from all quarters, so as to cut off a retreat. Leaving this, we entered the grand pagoda, one hundred feet in height, with four guilt snakes intertwining from the top, and a pine-apple crown, making the further addition of twenty feet. This must have been raised at an immense expense. In the lower chamber were four niches, with the heads of Mandarins, gilt and carved work of various devices: these opened into two apartments, a pump-room, and staircase equally elegant, adorned with Chinese characters, through five different flights, from each of which there are round balconies, and a prospect enlarging in beauty as you ascend, until the view extends about five leagues all round. The town of Antwerp is seen to the greatest advantage the town of Mechlin too. It is a scene that fascinated our attention. The extent, in a clear day, appears a vast garden, a natural one, embellished with fifty different spires and towers, numerous windmills, farm-houses, villages and towus. The roof inside has a fiue painting, representing a group of heads looking down, and is seen with great effect from below. Over this is a reservoir for a hundred tons of water, which is pumped up from beneath, and made to rise from the surronnd ing woods and jets d'eau, to refresh and heighten the pleasure of the scene. The

Passing through Breda, Dordrecht, Rotterdam, Scheveling, Leyden, and several other places, of which we have animated sketches, our travellers at length arrived at the metropolis of the kingdom of the Netherlands. The account of Amsterdam and its vicinity occupies several pages, which are replete with interesting details. We give the following notice of the work-house, whose arrangement and discipline have frequently been cited as models for similar establishments in our own country. It is a large edifice,

And does great credit to the town as a public institution. I need not say that the apartments were all in the neatest order; the brass work on the furniture cleanly polished, and the tables and chairs shining even to the feet. Among the pictures was a merchant delivering over a daughter, who had conducted herself improperly, to the stewards of the institution. Paupers, as well as vagrants, are admitted, and are fed and paid for their work. The beds in the women's apartments were crowded and small; they had no sheets, they really looked wretched,

The house at this time was full, and two or three of these unfortunates were some

times huddled together into one pallet; the whole of the beds were as close to each other as the fixtures in a convict ship. The number of females seemed to predominate; they were busy knitting stockings and making up clothing for the house, which was but little finer than sackcloth; they looked as you invariably find bodies of either sex secluded from the world, and each other, disorganized, sallow, emaciated, and sick. It was a painful sight as you cast your eye over this long gallery, and the recollection as I write is still more painful:-from infancy to old age, all the different gradations. It was sufficient that they were wretched; they ceased to be guilty. You could distinguish one or two who had not lost the freshness of the eye, who yet paid some attention to their appearance, and who looked comely even in their rags; but these were a few; the rest, with sunken looks and haggard cheeks, betrayed the despondency that consumed

them.

if observed by preceding travellers, have, from various circumstances, been omitted in their publications. We have been particularly pleased with the sober and temperate view given by the author of the character of the Parisians. We had marked several passages, which we could wish to have extracted, but must conclude our notice of his book with one more passage relative to part of the amusements of the good people of Paris.

One cannot imagine, in any town, a garden equal to that of the Tuileries: the taste in which it is laid out, the magnificent copies of sculpture with which it is adorned, the propriety of behaviour in the mixed crowd of all sorts and classes who frequent them during every hour of the day; every one walking, sitting, lolling, reading, or sleeping, as they feel inclined to retire in the shade or loiter in the sunshine. In one walk you may see a female I stopped to look at one who was spin-politician pacing about, digesting the news ning; her wheel went regularly but slowly round; it wanted all that animation, that busy hum, that makes this occupation so There interesting in a farmer's house. was a steady gloom in her forehead; she disliked the work, but was determined to get through with it. We passed on; several held out their hands for charity. I now regret that we did not think of buying some pairs of stockings of their working forgotten and unknown in this seclusion, it was like visiting catacombs of the dead. losensible to life and its enjoyments, we left them spinning out the threads of a miing by him. It is here that an elegant

serable duration.

These sights are always painful, because we see distress when it is out of onr power to remedy it. The men were chiefly employed weaving; some of the boys had been taught to write, and the examples we were shown were well written. There seemed throughout to be a great deal of order. One man spoke to us from a cell; this was the last of fourteen days, during which he had been solitarily confined for misbehaviour; these punishments render the most stubborn tractable. After visiting the sick, the kitchen, and the store room,

we took our leave.

Returning to Antwerp, our travellers proceeded through Mechlin (misprinted Mecklin,) Brussels, and the field of Waterloo, by the well-known road to Paris, where their tour terminated. Much as has been written on this capital of France, our author has furnished numerous details relative to it, which,

of the day; in another a favourite courtezan, walking and unmolesting, or apparently wrapt up in paying the attentions of a mother to the infant whom she has borrowed; a foreigner, perhaps a countryman, on a couple of chairs, translating the gazette to one of his friends, or amusing him with the tales of the evening before, whilst a philosophical Frenchman, reclining against the opposite tree, is wondering with himself what those men can be laughing at, heedless of the crowds of soldiers, females, idlers, and strangers continually pass

promenade, in the heart of the town, offers a pleasing retreat, or an amusing bustle. If fatigue approaches, a trifling copper will purchase you rest; if ennui, amusement, and, if necessity, ease, so well is every thing regulated to the advantage of the public.

Has the garden ceased to please? In the squares of the palace the soldiers are on cuirassiers, the bands of music, the trumpets parade-the body-guards, the lancers, and and the drums.-Does it rain? The Louvre is at hand-Are you tired of the paintings, or is the gallery close and crowded to excess?-you may amuse yourself in the halls of sculpture below. I forbear to mention the botanical gardens and the cabinets of natural history, unequalled by the collections of any other country; but as there are so many places of amusement like our vauxhall, and though, perhaps, not so brilliant, yet, as they occupy the evenings of thousands of the inhabitants, they de serve to be mentioned as a national trait in the diversions of the people.