THE PORTSMOUTH FORTIFICATIONS.

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steam basins, wharfs for coaling, and other purposes, are now required and will be ultimately a necessity for them.

The plan proposed by Mr. Pinco, provides this accommodation in the following manner. Fort Monkton, the shoals in front of that fort, and which, upon We have previously noticed, while describing reference to a map of the locality, will be found to separate Portsmouth harbour channel from the anchorage at Spithead. These natural obstacles form a triangle, the base of which extends from Blockhouse Fort at the mouth of Portsmouth harbour to Fort Monkton previously mentioned. Two lines extended from these forts and carried to the Spit buoy will enclose the whole of this shoal-water, the apex of which will be opposite Southsea Castle.

It is proposed in the specification of the plan "to enclose these shoals with two tiers of whole baulk coffer dam piles with ties and braces complete, and to fill them in with the excavations from the shoals, the intervening space would thus become of sufficient depth in the enclosed area for two large basins. The basin at the base of the triangle would have an area of over 200 acres, and would form an excellent floating basin available at all times of the tide. The outer basin, or at the apex of the triangle, would be a tidal basin having an area of about 120 acres."

It is not our intention to dilate upon the advantages to be derived from such an extended area of basins as here is shown to be capable of construction, as we have neither space, nor is any such labour necessary, the benefit is apparent to any one capable of bestowing a thought upon the subject. We shall merely confine the few remarks we have to offer, by stating that the scheme includes vast additional wharfage accommodation over the piling which would be about 200 feet wide, upon which also would be lines of tramways on their inner and outer faces, as well as a coaling depot on each side of the entrance at the apex of the work capable of storing about 100,000 tons, with a lighthouse over each. If, as the eminent engineer who has conceived and put forth this very simple but efficient scheme asserts, the whole of this work can be performed for £450,000, or less than the cost of one Warrior steam ship of war, or even double the money, we are sure that we only echo the sound of ten thousand voices, when we say that the sooner it is done the better.

The bare recital of the naked facts of this scheme is not doing justice to its merits. harbour and Spithead will demonstrate that by constructing a For a glance at the chart of Portsmouth continuous line of walls, or wharfs, extending from the mouth of Portsmouth harbour along the side of the harbour channel to the Spitbuoy, would confine the flood and ebb tides to the channel proper for scouring purposes, instead of wasting their strength, especially, the ebb, as at present on that part of the shoal between Blockhouse Fort and the outer swatch way.

It is evident therefore, that if Mr. Pinco's plan is ever carried out in its integrity, the tides would perform their natural functions, and the "bar" at the harbour channel would rapidly disappear under the increased influence of the power given to the ebb, and no apprehensions need then be entertained about the want of water of sufficient

depth to float our heaviest Ironsides in any part of the approaches to the harbour.

We also desire to draw the professional reader's attention to the vast addition of basin area and wharfage which would be gained for the berthing, coaling, and storing of our ships of war, and thereby relieving the interior of Portsmouth harbour, already inconveniently crowded, of much confusion, and allowing a vast space of the harbour to be reserved chiefly for docks. It is desirable also to indicate that with an inner floating basin of 200 acres, and outer tidal basin of 120 acres, such an extent of accommodation would be afforded in time of war, that could not be obtained at any other port in the channel; in brief, for comprehensiveness of design, and utility, it reminds us of the vast basins of Cherbourg, without their great cost.

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As we are not partisans, nor advocates, not even a judge, but merely a witness, we feel it our duty to state that at first sight the plan is open to the objection of being exposed to the attacks of an active and daring enemy, who might make a dash with an overwhelming force and destroy any vessels in the basins. But, upon reflection, any alarm upon this subject soon vanishes, for it is evident that the line of wharfage facing Spithead, and indeed over the whole extent of the works on the sea face, would become the strongest part of the defences in this quarter. For surely if it is found advisable to erect forts at the Horse sand and the Sturbridge shoals, both of which are in the sea, the defence at this part of the port, embraced in Mr. Pinco's plan, would be of the most formidable description. Batteries of guns of the heaviest calibre, might be, as indeed they would be, erected along the whole line of the wharfs, and would, from their advanced position towards Spithead, sweep the whole of that anchorage, as well as the adjacent waters for miles around.

Taking up the broken thread of narrative of the second line of defence, we now come to that portion of the sea defences of the enceinte of Portsmouth before described at the King's Bastion and Counter Guard, from whence to Southsea Castle there are no batteries, the sea face here being exposed to a flanking fire from the town batteries, as well as to the fire of the 56 guns at Blockhouse Fort on the Gosport shore before described. The channel of the harbour is consequently too well protected for any foe to attempt to force an entrance, and may be left without further remarks in perfect security.

We now come to Southsea Castle with its auxiliary earth-works. mounting in the whole 55 guns of the heaviest calibre. This castle and batteries are placed as guardians of the entrance of the harbour channel, and from thence to Cumberland Fort, at the mouth of Langstone harbour, a distance of sea beach of 4,300 yards, there are two intermediate forts, one at Lumps already constructed and armed, and another at Eastney in course of formation; as both of these last named forts will be precisely similar, a description of one will suffice.

The battery at Lumps crosses fire with the guns of Southsea Castle, and sweeps the beach between, and assists also in guarding the

entrance to the harbour channel. This important addition to the sea defences of Portsmouth is armed with seventeen guns, fourteen of which fire through embrasures on the parapet, and the other three are pivot guns, mounted on cavaliers on the salient angles of the sea face of the work. The guns of the cavaliers sweep each flank as well as the front, and dominate the whole work. The gorge of the work is closed by an earthen parapet, with a brick wall pierced for rifle fire, as well as with barrack accommodation for men and officers.

The sea face is covered in the usual manner by a glacis, and presents a formidable appearance, especially when it is remembered that the whole line of beach from Southsea Castle to the eastward is only accessible to gun-boats, or boat-squadrons, of light draught, at high water. The fort is surrounded by wet ditch of considerable depth and breadth in its sea front, but which diminishes on the land side. The entrance is gained by a drawbridge, but of very narrow dimensions. The ditch is not revetted, and as its sides and bottom consist of shingle and loose sand, it is to be feared that it is not likely that the present angle will be maintained for any long period.

Continuing our ramble we come to Eastney Fort, which will be when completed similar to Lumps, and at length we arrive at Fort Cumberland, standing at the mouth of Langstone Harbour. This fort was erected about a century ago, and is a pentagon armed with 50 guns of the newest and most formidable description. The guns of this stronghold cross fire with the guns of the east demi-bastion of Hilsea lines, which sweep the muddy shores and creeks of Langstone harbour, and complete the circuit of the second line of defence surrounding our great naval arsenal and dockyard.

The third or outer defence may be described as a huge circle of detached land and sea forts having a diameter of at least nine miles, the whole of which have recently been considered necessary in consequence of the vast improvements in modern artillery. It is instructive to notice how wide the circles of defence have extended. We have seen that about a century since the enceinte with its ramparts close up to the town and arsenal was deemed sufficient to keep an enemy at bay. Recently a more extended circle of defence became necessary for the security of Portsmouth, and now so rapid has been the progress made in gunnery, that a third or outer circle of miles in diameter has become a necessity.

The whole of these new works, by sea and land, are consequently only just commenced, but the scheme is vast and comprehensive, and if we begin our ramble at Portsmouth hill, we shall be able to jot down all that is noticeable in a few sentences. At present an army of labourers are employed cutting deep excavations into the chalk, vast mounds of which are piled about in apparent confusion. Just now a chaotic mass of rubbish scarcely leaves room for safe indications of what is intended to be achieved here. We believe, however, that the design, as originally recommended by the defence commissioners, will be considerably modified, and the scarped lines at Farlington and Nelson's column will not be required, and the number

of the Forts on this elevated plateau reduced from eight to

six.

It would also be equally premature to attempt to describe operations at the advanced detached forts at Wallington, Old Ford, Room Le farm, as well as at the sea forts at the Sturbridge Shoal, Horse Sand and Spithead.

Nevertheless we cannot conclude without saying a word respecting the merits of ships v. forts, in case of an attack upon Portsmouth. It would appear that the question of the security of our great naval arsenal has been narrowed down, so far as the outer line of defence is concerned, to a controversy between the relative merits of ships and forts; upon this question we may be permitted briefly to remark that the expense of maintaining a permanent fleet for such a local purpose appears to have been the chief cause against its adoption by the Government. But taking into account the expense and difficulty consequent upon the construction of forts upon the Spithead shoals, and also recognizing the fact that we have no precedent to show that stationary batteries alone are sufficient to prevent the passage of iron-cased ships, it is the opinion of many of our most experienced artillerists that the erection of the forts upon the Horse Sand, Sturbridge Shoal, and Spithead will not prove so effectual in defending Portsmouth, in case of attack, as a floating force. The question is a momentous one, and it has been well put by Captain Cowper Coles to the National Defence Commissioners, and certainly that gallant body has not given any satisfactory reply.

The difference between forts and ships, as applicable for the defence of our great naval arsenal, is as follows. Forts are fixed, and have only one power of destruction limited to the range of their guns, which is only practically dangerous in that sense, when ships permit themselves to be drawn within a radius of six hundred yards, at which distance all our target experience proves that our Ironsides are practically invulnerable--whereas ironsided ships, which are practically forts with the advantage of mobility, can fix themselves in the most advantageous position-enter action under obvious advantages of time and position-avoid action if necessary-close with the adversary

act as steam rams-board the enemy-rapidly reinforce a weak part of the action-move out of their own smoke-present themselves obliquely to the fire of the forts, without destroying in any way the efficiency of their own guns-and lastly, by their power of motion, destroy all chance of accurate aim on the part of the forts. The question therefore becomes filtered down into this small but essential residue, viz., the possibility of iron-cased ships of war passing the stationary forts built upon the shoals at Spithead, all but scathless. However, this is a subject we cannot, in the limited space of this article, pursue any further, and we leave the question for time to solve. There is no knowing what weapons these forts may be armed with, for the progress of destructive science is so rapid, that the invention of to-day is superseded by that of to-morrow. Nevertheless, an uneasy feeling is evidently felt by the Government that our wooden ships, under the altered conditions of naval warfare, no longer inspire us with that complete confidence they formerly did.

Great events cast their shadows before, and with the same instinct with which the sailor forsees the coming storm," England has had recourse to the erection of fortresses and strongholds as an addition to her gallant navy. She feels the necessity of having two strings to her bow, and consequently is increasing her military power, and relying to a certain extent upon similar measures to those which the great nations of the continent owe their military strength. Portsmouth.

NAVAL EDUCATION.

Or all the subjects which have been brought prominently under public notice, and been discussed in Parliament, at meetings, and by the fire side, none have engrossed so much attention, produced such diversity of opinion, or created so much personal hostility, as that relating to Education. Philanthropists first took up the question some forty years ago; as individuals they preached the advantage of communicating to the poor some of the knowledge which they themselves possessed, and as members of institutions or societies they created, and set in motion, the machinery for carrying out their views. The British and Foreign School Society, the Incorporated National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor, and the Committee of Council on Education, owe their existence to the movement then begun. Men, women, and children, were no longer to be mere dull, stupid listeners; they were to be fluent readers also, more than that, they were to write, to discard the old plan of signing with a cross, and to inscribe their names in the parish books and elsewhere like their richer neighbours. Then came the days of cheap and instructive literature, and periodicals of the Saturday and Penny Magazine class were established for the edification and amusement of the million. Like all movements of importance, this one met with determined and long continued opposition. Some were for leaving matters as they stood;-we had got on very well without knowledge-why should we not continue to do so in future? Others were for communicating only the very rudiments of education, while another party advocated the diffusion of knowledge of all kinds. The latter considered that in improving the minds we should be opening the hearts of the masses, and so be leading to a diminution of crime, and consequently of suffering;-their opponents, however, treated such ideas as purely theoretical, some going so far as to assert that in other countries crime was in direct proportion to enlightenment, and in inverse proportion to ignorance. The stronger the opposition the greater were the exertions of the promoters of the scheme, and after many years of angry discussion, all parties are