whole complement, deduct the officers, marines, idlers, stokers, and second-class boys. The remainder gives the number of men disposable for the watch bill. As the artificers and signalmen are included in the idlers' list, from the remainder take sufficient numbers for quarter-masters and boatswains' mates; and then, as an approximate for equalising the strength and giving every man stationed aloft about a fair proportion of canvass to handle, calculate thus: As the number of yards of canvass in the courses and topsails, &c., is to the "remainder," so is the number in (say) the main-sail to the number of main-yard men, and so on.

Of course, it will be remembered that some canvass is lighter than others, and that from stay and studding sails, fore-top men do more work aloft than the main, and therefore should be equally strong. Divide the first-mentioned remainder into two watches, each watch into two "halves," and each "half" into two "parts;" the odd numbers being in the first halves, the even in the second halves, beginning with number "one" in each watch. Thus we can keep two, four, or eight watches without an additional set of stations and numbers to remember, which is the case with a ship's company divided into three watches.

The first parts are usually sail loosers and furlers; the second, upper-yard men and second company of small arm men; the third parts, sail furlers, spare boats' crews, and third company of small arm men; the fourth parts, boats' crews and spare hands for duties aloft, but generally working on deck.

The first halves of the port watch wear one stripe on the left arm, and the second two. The first halves of the starboard watch wear one stripe on the right arm, and the second two. For want of space, numbers are printed instead of words in the annexed form of watch bill, and represent these:

No. 1. Man's number on the watch bill.

2. His number on the ship's books.

3. Quarters.

4. Boat.

5. Duty aloft; such as F. Y. F., fore-yard furler; F. Y. L. F., Fore yard loose and furl; C. L. F., Cross, loose, furl top-gallant yard.

In working ship with the watch, keep the second halves to

the port duties, and the first to the starboard; they will thus all learn, and come in for an average share of work. For instance, if on the port tack, second half of top-men aloft to set stud-sails, shake a reef out, &c. &c.; second part, furl top-gallant sails; or else let them take the aloft duties day about.

It prevents confusion to denote the watch that is, or may be, called on deck, by a board having the letter P on one side and S on the other; making the boatswain's mate or quarter-master of the last watch answerable that it is correctly fixed in some place where the watch letter may be seen. Some ships improve

on this, and denote the part or half for duty aloft, or for small work on deck, by similar means.

All petty officers are supplied with lists of their men, and may be trusted to muster them during the day; but at night, the most approved practice is for the officers of watches to be called before the hour of relief, so as to be on deck in good time to muster their own watch. The men fall in on one side; one midshipman musters, another (or the ship's corporal) checks the "sick" replies with the binnacle list; the men pass across, answering their name and number, as they are called; the reliefs for the wheel, lead, looks out, life-buoy, relieving tackles, lee sheets, and halyards, &c. &c., fall in, and are inspected at the times appointed for relieving these posts. When the relieving watch is mustered it is "called," and then the other one is at liberty to go below. When the officer is satisfied with the ship's position and condition, the other is relieved of responsibility. Thus we have an entire and sober watch constantly on deck; and until a happier experience proves that squalls will not take us aback, or another ship run into us because it is " eight bells," we cannot afford to be less exacting.

The petty officers and carpenters, after having gone a round of inspection, report the ropes clear for working, the guns secure, sentries alert, life-buoy primed, the pump well right, and, if under steam, the steam-lights trimmed and the ashes disposed of.

The Royal Marines are added to the watch bill on a separate division, and the working parties are kept in equal force by taking the guard from each watch. Where there are marines enough, over and above the number necessary for great guns, it is an excellent arrangement to take that surplus for guard duty,

having a change round once a month: for it often comes hard, for example, on a man who has just kept a watch in the working party to become "sentry go;" and equally so for one who has just come off sentry to be summoned to gun drill or general quarters. The Marines generally compose the first company of small arm men.

The Idler's list is divided into two classes, the "excused" and working." The former are only employed, apart from their special duties, at general quarters; the latter, when idlers or all hands are called. Although it will require sharp practice on the part of the police, it is but right, when hands are on deck, to consider the particular duties performed below by some of the idlers, and to allow the servants, steward's assistants, and reliefs to go below in reasonable time.

When not standing by, we summon the whole, a half, or a part, according to the force required; thus we do not wet or disturb more hands than are necessary.

We make it generally known that "the work must be done" is a law to which everything must give way.

If a part work slackly, this of course shows we want more strength, and we call a half. If the slackness continue, the watch is called, and, if need be, the hands; for it is impossible in these cases to select a solitary offender for an example. Whatever may be done with the party afterwards, the immediate consequence is that the real offenders who have caused the turnout hear of it on going below, with a far more corrective effect than would be produced at the gangway.

All evolutions should be briefly, distinctly, and sharply piped. Boatswains' mates acquire, if permitted, a drowsy manner of groaning over a treble bass solo: and often the chance is lost before they have arrived at the end of the gamut.

The particular "part " of the ship, that is, the parties who are to be employed, should be named. The term "watch below" is most objectionable. Men begin to consider such a thing a right, even though in harbour with all night in and short days. The indefinite quantity "after" or "fore part of the ship" is prolific of complaints, for, when used, there will always be claimants for neutral ground.

There should be one cook of the mess in each watch, officially known daily to the master at arms; the rank being local and

temporary, and never acknowledged among the watch on deck.

After every evolution ropes should be reported clear for running.

CONDUCT BOOK.

For the purposes of drill, the watch and station bill may be sufficient; but an alphabetical Conduct Book carefully and judiciously kept is almost the only source from which can be derived a correct estimate of individual character. It would relieve the first lieutenant from much uncertainty (and possibly from selfreproach) and the chance of dealing unjustly with his men if as much of a man's history, occupation, antecedents, capacity, and conduct, as could be collected from his certificates, &c., together with a true record of his behaviour - good and bad—while attached to the ship, were entered under his name. Cases will arise

in which are involved not only the granting or withholding of indulgence, but the issue of those certificates on which much of a man's prospects depends; and it cannot but be a great relief to a conscientious officer to have before him a body of reliable records, from which he may infer the probability of a case perplexed by the conflict or insufficiency of evidence.† Bound as the first lieutenant is to lay before his captain the grounds on which he may arrive at a just decision, it is of great moment that he should have the means of collating the general tenor of a man's life with the particular offence charged against him. It is true that that offence may be in direct discord with antecedents -a case possible, but not likely-but still, when testimony is contradictory, inconclusive or equivocal, he cannot go much astray if he cast the entries of the conduct book into the scale and conclude

*"Officers should reflect that the character of a seaman on his certificate, is his passport through life; by it he gains promotion or employment, and by it his future pension is affected." Admiralty Circular, No. 113.

+ The Duke of Wellington remarks:-" It is most difficult to commit any prisoner, for the soldiers have little regard for an oath ; and the officers, who are sworn to try according to the evidence,' have too much regard to the strict letter of it. A court martial is no longer a court of honour, where a man was certain of receiving punishment, if he deserved it, but it is a court of law, whose decision is to be formed upon the evidence of those upon whose actions it is constituted as a restraint."

To prevent misapprehension, it must be observed that this extract from the "Despatches" is only intended to illustrate the great importance which that great disciplinarian attached to discrimination.

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