and passed through; and can it be believed that Havre would be captured for the purpose of travelling over the bodies of a million of Frenchmen? Science, always too confident in its own resources, does not always respect the principle, that the real strength of a state consists in the courage of its defenders; and that, as Montesquieu has said, "France never was so weak as when her towns were surrounded by walls."

We have attempted in this essay to shew, that in leaving as has been done and as is yet being done, the works for improving the port of Havre in the hands of the military, is to risk, if not to compromise, the interests of the marine, which are inseparable from those of commerce! Let us not forget that Havre, now become the port of Paris, from which it is but three or four hours distant, might, and ought, if not to equal, at least to make a near approach in importance, to Liverpool, and that its capabilities must not be checked by a chain of fortifications against improbable and chimerical events. We must remember that Liverpool has nothing more for its defence, for the entrance of the Mersey and for 15,000 ships in its docks, than a simple battery; and that neither the British Government, nor the corporation of that large metropolis of the commerce of the world, thinks of surrounding their inestimable treasure by walls and cannon to defend them from the landing of an enemy!

Let this commission, instituted and formed like that of the English, invested with the same power and authority to judge, in fact, to decide under the control of the Admiralty, with the sanction of the legislature, on all plans for improvement of defence, which would place Havre in the position it should occupy. In fact, let this important place be extricated from that prolonged state of uncertainty, so dangerous to the great interests of the country. The enclosing of the little roadstead looked for above a century, and proposed incessantly, will indeed give to vessels of war a refuge, and secure anchorage for even the largest draught of water. The piers founded on the bank de l'Eclat* and other banks of the roadstead will become the bases of forts, which will defy the enemy and preserve the place from the reach of his projectiles. Thus France will secure for herself the same object in which England is engaged, the protection of her commerce, her navigation, the increase of her military power, and security from the possibility of bombardment to a place of inestimable importance. Then the projected lines of fortification on the land side may be abandoned, as indeed useless, and as having no other effect than preventing an extension of the place in that direction but with inconvenience, as would now have been proved at Liverpool had such works separated it from Birkenhead, which at this moment is doubling its docks, its naval yards, and buildings. Graville and l'Heure are to Havre what Birkenhead was to Liverpool.

Doubtless the necessity is most urgent to provide for the defence of so important a place as Havre: nothing should be in the way of placing this important place beyond the reach of an enemy; but it is not on the hypothesis of an impossible descent on the coast between Cape Le Heve and Etretat, being surrounded with difficulty and danger, that we should be guarded against; it is, we do not cease to repeat, to Havre that at all

An outlying bank forming the little roadstead.

times, every one, both of the military and the marine, with one accord, have agreed we should attend. To complete this work, there is no sacrifice too great, especially when it effects the conversion of this little road into a vast enclosure of two kilometres in extent, thus becoming an annexation of relief to Cherbourg, for the refuge of the fleet. This would be the realization, the completion of the patriotic and royal sentiment which conceived the military establishment, that would most command the respect due to the maritime power of France.

BAY WHALING AND PROGRESS OF MARITIME DISCOVERY.

IMPORTANT new whale fisheries have lately been discovered on the southern coast of Australia, we copy the following from the Adelaide Observer :

Capt. G. G. Irving, of the schooner Sister, of Hobart Town, arrived at Port Adelaide, on July 22, from the new fisheries in the western bays of the Province of South Australia, and he has since favoured us with the following report :

Capt. Shepherd's party of twenty-five men and three boats, had captured, at Streaky Bay, three whales, one of which produced sixteen tons of oil; the three making together an aggregate of forty tons. The Streaky Bay party had "sighted" twenty-five whales, but owing to the long prevalence of extremely boisterous weather, they were only able to capture three.

At Trial Bay, Mr. Hagen's party had killed three fish, producing twenty-five tons of oil. At this station the provisions had fallen so short, that some of the whalers were subsisting on shell-fish. Capt. Irving describes the entrance into Trial Bay (twenty-five miles S.E. of Streaky Bay) as accessible enough, although heavy breakers are seen on either hand; the bay itself affording good anchorage, in which vessels of 200 tons may ride secure from all winds.

During his trip to the westward Capt. Irving made an interesting geographical discovery-that of an island which does not appear in the chart of Flinders, and seems to have escaped the observation of that intrepid navigator.

The newly found island has been named Sister Island, by the discoverer, who, during a strong gale from the N.W., took the most accurate bearings and observations possible under the circumstances. Sister Island is described as about three miles long, and presenting the appearance of three hummocks. In taking cross bearings for the purpose of ascertaining its relative position, the three hummocks bore Ñ.N.E. Greenly Islands N.N.W., and the Sister W.b.S.; according to which bearings, the position assigned to the new island is seventeen miles south of Greenly Islands.

Judging from subsequent observations, Sister Island is visible at a distance of thirty miles, but it is evident, from the chart of Flinders,

that the great navigator took his sights inside Greenly Islands, and then stood in-shore, when the approach of night or foul weather would have prevented his getting a glimpse of the Sister.

It is with the most lively interest we notice the gradual extension of bay whaling, by the capitalists and other experienced persons of South Australia and the Western Colony. A better knowledge of the numerous island groups, as well as the intervening coast-line may, ere long, become conducive to objects of national utility; although they have hitherto been esteemed of little importance to Britain or her southern dependencies.

REMARKS ON THE NAVIGATION OF THE GULF OF MEXICO, with Notes of Tampico, Tucupan, Vera Cruz, Anton Lizardo, and Tabasco, &c. by Mr. P. Masters, Master Mariner, of Liverpool, 1844.

(Continued from page 31.)

City of Santana.-The city of Tampico or Santana de Tamaulipas (as it is now called) is built on a rising slope of ground, between the river Panuco and the Laguna del Carpentero, and is about five miles by land, and seven by water from the bar. The streets are wide, and laid out at right angles to each other. Although it has been so recently built it has a respectable appearance; in the principal streets there are some very fine houses, built both of brick and stone; many of them in the old Spanish style, with flat roofs, but most of the houses, which have been built within the last few years, or since 1825, are in general roofed with slate or shingle; as the rains are very heavy in the wet season, it is found to keep them much drier, and is less expensive than the flat roofs. There is a small church near the middle of the town of rather a mean appearance; but, another has been in progress of building, close to it, for several years past, and most likely will be several more before it is finished. By the side of the new church is a tower, built in commemoration of the defeat of the Spanish invasion in 1828. In the same square which is near the Mole, (Plaza del Aduana), is a monument erecting in honour of the President Santa Anna. The custom-house is on the north side of the same square.

There are two hospitals here situated at the western part of the town, (one is for the military). To the civil hospital all ships which arrive here have to pay, and any of the crew which may fall sick are received there, but the chief support of it is by the town.

The foreigners have a burying ground just outside the town, walled in; near to which is another for the natives and foreigners who may have been Catholics.

To the east of the town there is a canal which enters the Laguna de Carpentero from the river; the town is much more healthy than it was previous to its being cut, the water, in the dry season, very often nearly all evaporated, and what remained became quite stagnant, the effluvia

from which caused a great deal of sickness, particularly bilious fevers. The canal is crossed by a stone bridge, and on the side opposite the town, a Paseo, or public walk, has been formed, and although but recently built, it is going to decay, and the trees which were planted are nearly destroyed for want of care.

The market, which is near the custom-house wharf, has been for the last few years very well supplied. Beef, of a middling quality, is always to be had. Mutton is rather scarce. The pork is none of the best. Deer is sometimes to be had, and in the winter season wild ducks are very cheap, besides snipes of a large size, and other game. Although a great number of wild geese are to be seen feeding in the lagoons, they are seldom shot, being so very shy. Fowls and turkeys are almost always to be had at a reasonable price, as well as fruits peculiar to the tropics: the oranges are of an excellent flavour. The market is generally well supplied with fish, chiefly mullet and prawns, but the fish which are caught outside the bar are of an excellent quality," but very scarce. Oysters are mostly brought from a lake a few leagues north of the bar; there are plenty in the lake of Peublo Viejo but they are not good. In the summer season turtle are plentiful about the bar and along the coast, and often come into the river, generally of a large size ; I have bought them at a dollar each, weighing from four to five hundred pounds. Tortoises are in immense numbers in the lagoons and also in the river above the town.

Those who are fond of shooting may have plenty of sport by starting early in the morning, along the bank of the river and in the small lagoons, but the best time is immediately after a norther; but in these excursions care should be taken not to catch cold, as it is generally succeeded by a fever.

The population of Santana de Tamaulipas is about 7000.

Pueblo Viejo de Tampico.-Pueblo Viejo (or the Old Town) has fallen off very much, since the privilege of vessels discharging from a foreign port has been discontinued, it being now only a port of entry for the coasting trade. The town is in the state of Vera Cruz, on the borders of the Laguna de Tampico, which is very shallow; the channel from the river is narrow and not of sufficient depth for vessels to enter the lake. The merchandize which has to be landed at Pueblo Viejo, has to be discharged into canoes (from the vessel) of a light draught of water; at low water spring tides, these even cannot get near the town. The greatest number of the houses are built of adobas (bricks dried in the sun), in a straggling manner, forming a kind of street; the few shops in the town are but indifferently stocked, as Santana de Tamaulipas, monopolizes nearly all the trade. The Lake of Tampico is celebrated for its prawns, which are very large, immense quantities of them are caught, and besides supplying the inhabitants, a large quantity is salted and dried, and sent to the interior for sale. The population of Pueblo Viejo is about 1500.

Tampico El Alto.-About five miles to the S.E. of Peublo Viejo, is the village of Tampico El Alto: it is built over the ridge of hills towards the sea, from which it can be seen; the population is about 100. There

is a feast held here annually, in celebration of an image of Christ (of wood), which is placed over the altar of the church. The following story has been told me respecting the image.

The figure, which is Christ on the Cross, is most abominably illcarved, and badly turned out of hand, many more respectable figures could be seen (and may now at times) on a Dutch galliot's rudder-head. It is ornamented with a great quantity of tinsel, and the usual accompaniments of red paint to represent blood, with sundry decorations. After it was made it remained at Vera Cruz to be shipped for Tampico by the first vessel. It unfortunately happened that a vessel was on the point of sailing, when the captain was applied to, to take the image on board, but as he had all his cargo shipped, and the ship was fully laden, he was obliged to decline taking it, and not liking to give it a deck pas age, it was left behind. The vessel sailed and had a long passage, and when opposite the church of Tampico El Alto (the place of destination of his saintship), a tremendous gale came on, and drove the vessel on shore on the beach, close under the village, and the ship, crew, and cargo, were entirely lost. Another vessel shortly after sailed from Vera Cruz, but the captain having more the fear of the church before his eyes, took the image on board with all becoming respect; he then got his vessel underweigh, when a fair wind sprung up, and in twenty-four hours he arrived safely at Tampico. The image was landed with due ceremony, taken to Tampico El Alto, and installed in due form over the altar. But the most remarkable thing connected with it is, that on the anniversary of the loss of the vessel, the ship and crew make their appearance in the surf where the wreck took place, with the people calling loudly for help. This is still believed in by a number of people.

Panuco. The town of Panuco is situated on the right bank of the Montezuma, and is about eighty-five miles above Santana de Tamaulipas, by the river. A few years since, a number of vessels loaded here with fustic, but as this branch of commerce has fallen off, and vessels not being at present allowed to go up the river above the place of discharge, Tamaulipas, it has greatly declined in prosperity. Panuco is much more healthy than the city, and nothing near so infested with mosquitos. The population in 1835 was from seven to eight hundred.

River Montezuma.-The river Montezuma, or Tampico as it is sometimes called, between Tamaulipas and Panuco has some very good ranchos along the banks, which produce chiefly maize and sugar cane. There are also a few cattle ranchos, which are well stocked. About fifteen miles above the city the scenery greatly improves, and at Popila, near which are the ruins of an ancient city, it is very interesting. Above Tamaulipas, about seventeen miles, is an establishment for making bricks, carried on by some Americans, which more than supplies the wants of the town.

Vessels drawing more than nine-and-a-half feet water will find much difficulty in navigating this river, as in places it is very shallow, for which see chart of the river in the Nautical Magazine, as before mentioned. Very few vessels have proceeded above Panuco, and then only a few leagues. The produce of the country through which it flows is brought