thinks that a shallow vessel, with a sliding keel, can
be built to outsail any vessel even on his improved model. This is
likely to be tested next summer in England, as a sloop, the _Silvia_,
built by Steers on this construction, is preparing to try her speed at
Cowes next season. The author carefully noted this craft when on the
stocks alongside the _America_,[1] and he believes, 'that no vessel in
England has the ghost of a chance against her.'

The English ship-builders have a great deal to learn from Brother
Jonathan, not only in the fashion of build, but likewise in the
'fitting and rigging.' An American London liner is sailed with half
the number of men required by an English ship of the same size, and
yet the work is got through as well and as expeditiously. The various
mechanical contrivances to save labour might be beneficially copied by
English ships.

A merchant-vessel, on the clipper principle, can be turned out by a
Baltimore builder for from L.10 to L.12 a ton, complete in all her
fittings. This is much cheaper than in England, which appears
unaccountable, considering the rate of wages; but so much more work is
done by the workmen for their wages, that labour is as cheap, if not
cheaper, there than here. 'Cotton-duck' sails are almost exclusively
used by American vessels under 300 tons, which for such vessels, as
well as for yachts, is much better and cheaper than canvas. Another
circumstance which struck the author at Baltimore--and which is
equally striking to hear of to those who are accustomed to the sight
of the Thames barges ascending and descending the river, in all their
ugliness and filth, with the flow and ebb of each tide--was, that the
vessels intended for the lowest and most degrading offices, such as
carrying manure, oysters, and wood, were of 'elegant and symmetrical
proportions!'

The most potent proofs of Uncle Sam's 'cuteness are to be found in the
patent office at Washington. Inventions pour in in such abundance,
that already the space allotted to them is so completely crammed, as
to preclude the possibility of any close investigation. The dockyard
at Washington furnished matter for fresh reflection; the iron for
cables, furnished by contract, being so superior to the old, that the
testing-links were all broken on the first trial, the model-anchors
being 'an immense improvement,' &c.

'And to whom do you suppose we are indebted for all these
improvements, and many more too tedious