to-day, our navy ranks as one of the best, if not the very best in the world; notwithstanding that it has been greatly diminished since peace has been restored.

5. The necessities of the case called for many more vessels than the Government had; and a large number were purchased which had been built and used for commercial purposes. Besides these, a great number were built; and many English vessels, which had run the blockade, or attempted to do so, were taken as prizes, and immediately placed in our navy. Hence perhaps no navy upon earth ever grew from smallness to greatness, and from weakness to power so rapidly as did the American Navy from 1861 to 1865, or during the continuance of the rebellion.

Not only was the number of ships, men, and guns greatly increased, but the power and efficiency of our guns were augmented beyond anything ever known before; as was also the power of our ships of war for offence or defence. When we see cannon which will send balls five miles, and do terrible execution, and iron-clad ships so constructed as to be as impervious to cannon balls as a rock is to small shot, we may place our navy on an equality, if not in advance of any other which can be found on earth. In this respect we stand on a proud eminence in contrast with any other nation.

6. We have said already that since the restoration of peace among ourselves, the force of the navy had been greatly reduced and brought down to a peace standard. Yet it is still of sufficient power to answer any emergency, that is likely to occur. From the report of the Secretary of the Navy, rendered near the end of the year 1866, we

learn that the present naval power of the country consists of 278 vessels of all descriptions; carrying 2,351 guns. and about 13,600 seamen, which in case of war could easily be doubled.

7. We have in another place spoken of the Naval Academy, and said that its object was to educate young men for the naval service. The Government has also appropriated ships and established schools on board of them for the instruction of boys in navigation, and naval warfare. These are called apprentices; and for good conduct and proficiency in their studies, they are promoted to the Naval Academy, and placed in the line of promotion. Thus the Government is training up a class of young men for the navy, who will not only be well educated, but well drilled in all the arts and sciences which pertain to the naval service. "In time of peace prepare for war,” is a proverb on which the Government is now acting.

8. For the construction of our vessels of war and for their equipment and repairs, several Navy Yards have been established along the coast, and on some of the navigable rivers. Here the ships are built, armed, equipped, manned and fitted out for their destination. The principal Navy Yards are at Brooklyn, N. Y., Philadelphia, Pa., Norfolk, Va., and Pensacola, Fla.

9. Not half of the vessels belonging to the navy are, however, (now in time of peace) in commission, that is, in active service. The rest are either laid up, or in process of repair. Most of those in commission are employed in what is called squadron service. The Secretary of the Navy in his last report enumerates seven of these squadrons; viz., the European, the Asiatic, the

North Atlantic, the South Atlantic, the North Pacific, the South Pacific, and the Gulf squadrons. The names given to these squadrons indicate their whereabouts, and their cruising grounds. These squadrons consist of six, eight, ten, twelve or fifteen vessels, as the work to be done may require. It is their duty to visit the sea ports of the various countries along the coasts of which they cruise, in order to proctect our merchantmen against pirates or enemies of any description, who may molest them or interfere with their rights or privileges; and also to look after the interests and dignity of the United States.

10. These squadrons are under the command of a high naval officer of the rank of Commodore or Rear-Admiral, whose ship is called the Flag ship of the squadron. Many of our naval officers have distinguished themselves for bravery, skill, and patriotic devotion to their country, and have occupied the highest position of honor, and the most exalted places in the esteem and affections of their countrymen.

In 1862, Congress enacted that there should be nine grades of officers in the Navy, and that their corresponding rank with military officers should be as follows

9. Midshipmen, with no corresponding rank in the Army

1. As a sequel, or as a kind of appendix to what has been said about the army, it seems appropriate to make some remarks upon the " Articles of War," as they are commonly called. These are not, as some might suppose them to be, rules made by the highest officers in command, for the government of the officers and soldiers of inferior rank; but they are laws of Congress, acts of that body. Hence they come from the highest authority in the land, and are as binding upon the highest in command as upon the humblest private.

2. They relate of course exclusively to the army, and consist of one hundred and one articles, each containing some specific rule or direction for the government of either officers, soldiers, or attachees of the army. They form a complete Code of laws for them all, while in actual service. The first one of these requires every officer in the army to subscribe these rules and regulations, before he enters upon his duties; thus signifying his approval of them, and tacitly promising to regulate his conduct by them.

3. But to recite the provisions of each article would require more space than we can appropriate to this theme. Let it suffice then to enumerate some of the principal subjects embraced in these articles; showing what matters

relating to the army Congress has seen fit to regulate by legislation. These arc,

1st. Directions to both officers and men to attend public worship, accompanied by penalties prescribed for any improper behavior on such occasions.

4. They prohibit the use of profane oaths and execrations, of contemptuous and disrespectful language against their superiors, the raising of a mutiny among the troops; and the striking, raising any weapon, or offering any violence to a superior officer. They prescribe the oath or affirmation which every officer and private must take upon his entrance into the army, and the penalties for the violation of any of the Articles of War, or the omission of any duties incumbent upon them. They contain rules for the enlistment, dismissal, and discharging of men, and for granting them furloughs, and leave of absence, with penalties for desertion, or absence without leave.

5. They prohibit duelling, or challenging to a duel; make rules for sutlers in the army; prohibit embezzlement of public property, or public money; sleeping while on guard; drunkenness; absence from parade; raising false alarms; cowardice; disclosing watchwords; aiding or corresponding with the enemy. They prescribe the rank and grade of officers; direct how courts-martial shall be constituted; how proceedings shall be conducted in them; and how deceased officers' and soldiers' money, effects and arms, shall be disposed of.

6. These are the most important among the provisions of the "Articles of War," and with others of less note, must be read and published once in every six months to every regiment or troop in the service. In many in