more than 60 each. The instruction embraces reading, writing, the first rules of arithmetic, elementary grammar, elementary geography, the elements of French history, and religious instruction.

The instructors belong to a religious brotherhood, and are not permanent, as they can be changed from time to time by the order to which they are attached.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION.

They pursue a method of individual instruction not so effective, I think, as the methods pursued in English schools. I went through the school-rooms of all the classes, and observed the recitations, and saw samples of the pupils' work. They were well advanced for boys of their age, and their writing was particularly good. There is no pressure put on them whatever. Singing is also practiced.

The seamanship and military education comprise exercise with the sails on the stationary ship, knotting and splicing, the compass, swimming; the school of the soldier, battalion exercises, and gymnastics. Greatgun and howitzer drills are taught. One large room is fitted as a battery, ports being cut in the walls. The howitzers used are the mountain howitzer of the French service, being lighter than the usual naval gun. The routines of exercises are appended. Of course in the many years of drill these children have to undergo (six for many of them) they become quite perfect. The exercises on board ship are confined to loosing making, and furling sail, as they are not strong enough to handle spars They leave this school at the age at which a boy is put into the seaman. ship division at the Greenwich Hospital School (13). The gymnastic exercises were excellent. They are superintended by men who have passed through the gymnastic school at Joinville le Pont, near Paris, a school under the control of the army, but to which a certain number of petty officers are yearly sent from the naval service, who, after receiving their certificates, serve as instructors in the divisions and in the other schools ashore. The gymnastic apparatus here is not very complete, the exercises chiefly consisting in movements of the arms and body, without the aid of apparatus; the boys are too young for very severe exercise.

CLOTHING, MESSING, ETC.

The mess furniture is

The messes have about twenty boys in each. exceedingly plain, being but a pan, cup, and spoon; a knife is also allowed but no fork. The kitchen and food are under the charge of one of the sisterhood, who has under her several cooks and other assistants The infirmary is also, as well as the clothing and bedding, in charge of these sisters, of whom, as before noted, there are five. This may seem an unusual arrangement to us, but women in France occupy a much more prominent position in business organizations than with us. They are frequently the heads in the counting rooms, and have large and responsible duties nearly always elsewhere assigned to men.

The entire charge of the clothing of this establishment is in the hands of one of these sisters, by whom the supply, repair, &c., are admirably arranged. Five seamen-tailors and five shoemakers are under her, who are given constant employment in repairing. The clothing allowed is all furnished ready made from the government workshops.

The food is good and wholesome. Six times a week they have fresh meat (5.3 oz.), either beef or veal, and on Friday 6 oz. of fresh fish are allowed. Twice a day they have soup. The breakfast is simply coffee and bread; twenty-four ounces of this latter are allowed daily. In spite of the liberal scale on which they are fed the boys seem very deficient in physique, and complaint is made on board the Austerlitz that they are not equal in size to the other boys they receive of the same age. I notice too that a majority suffered from bad and weak eyes, showing scrofulous constitutions, partially inherited no doubt, partially developed by insufficient food and care when very young. In this respect they did not compare favorably with the splendid physique and healthy look of the Greenwich boys, who come from the same class.

On Thursdays, in summer as well as in winter, mass is said at 8, followed by religious instructions given by the chaplain; after which there is recreation until dinner. The afternoon school is replaced by a "promenade," which may be prolonged to 6 in summer and to 4 in winter.

On Saturdays there is no exercise. In the afternoon the boys are employed in cleaning the establishment.

On Sundays there is prayer at 7.45; religious instruction until 8.15 by the "brothers" in the school-rooms; inspection at 9.30; mass at 10.30; after which dinner and recreation; at 1 a "promenade" is allowed. In this they are accompanied by their instructors.

Gyn nastics. First and second classes (both First and second classes (both

CHAPTER IV.

THE AUSTERLITZ.

This ship, a large two-decker, has on board the boys (mousses) who are under training. The number allowed is 800, and these must be the sons of sailors; pupilles (from the school just spoken of); or, in default of a sufficient number not being obtained from these, sons of men in the marine, infantry, artillery, or gendarmerie; sons of soldiers; and finally, if the supply from the foregoing classes is not sufficient, boys from civil parentage may be admitted.

The limits of age are from thirteen to fourteen. The applications for admission are addressed to the commissioners of the inscription maritime. After undergoing an examination at the headquarters of their arrondissement, they are forwarded to Brest, where they undergo a final medical examination before being received. They must be, at thirteen, 52 inches in height; at fourteen, 54 inches, and of good constitution.

The entries take place four times a year, the 1st of January, 1st of April, 1st of July, and 1st of October. No admissions take place except to fill vacancies, occasioned by the transfer of boys to the training-ship La Bretagne.

The boys are kept on board the Austerlitz until they have attained the age of sixteen, at which age, if willing, they are entered for service until twenty-one years of age. If unwilling, the parents (whose consent to their admission to the school itself is required) are obliged to reimburse the state for all the expenses of the boy while attached to the school. This reimbursement must precede the sending back of the boy to his family.

The instruction given on board the Austerlitz comprises an elementary school education, and special drills for those who appear fitted for the "specialités" of the service. There is also a school for a certain number of boys who are destined to serve as engineers (mécaniciens), if they are able to pass the examinations. This latter school embraces elementary mathematics and drawing, in addition to a higher class of education than that given the boys in general.

For the purposes of drill, &c., there are four companies, of two hundred each. These companies are constituted as follows:

1 lieutenant.

1 premier-maître.

1 maître.

1 second maître de manœuvre.

1 clerk ("sergent").

2 quartiers-maîtres de manœuvre. 1 quartier-maître de timonerie.

1 quartier-maître of gunnery. 4 topmen (brevetés).

1 timonier (breveté).

1 clerk.

These companies are divided into divisions, platoo ns, sections, and finally series, there being 48 series of four boys each.

There is school every morning from 8 to 10, one of the lower decks being fitted with benches and desks for the purpose. The remainder of the day is devoted to exercises, as shown by the routines which I append.

In fine weather one company, and sometimes two, are sent on board the brigs Nisus and Mousse, which are attached to the Austerlitz. The companies, numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, take in turn each of the duties shown in the first column, and designated Nisus and Mousse (the brigs), interior, and boats; there is a fifth detail, consisting of new entries (nouveaux), which is given special instruction.

[With two companies on board; two in the brigs.]

Companies.

Nisus and Mousse..

Interior

From 11.15 to 12.30.

From 12.45 to 2.15.

From 2.30 to 3.45.

Boats get under way and exercise until 2.30. The companies then return and are allowed to overhaul their clothing until 4.50.