untried screw, and the paddle-steamer Polyphemus, which were lashed stern to stern to test in a very practical way which was the stronger; victory, of course, declaring itself in favour of the screw. considered that though the character of the ships and boats had so vastly changed, the man-of-war's men were still of the same reliable type. In reply to the toast of the Houses of Parliament, proposed by Mr. James Laing, Mr. Ellison Macartney, M.P., stated that he cordially admired the manner in which the Upper House transacted business, and wished the Lower House could imitate their equanimity. He referred with regret to the loss of the breezy eloquence of Lord Charles Beresford, and hoped in the near future to bear him again. He spoke warmly of the valuable contributions to debate given by Admiral Field and Mr. Allan, in the House, and he thought there was general unanimity as to the necessity for maintaining in the highest possible degree of efficiency of the Navy, and that the subject was now exempt from the influences of party predilections. He trusted that the Admiralty, in spite of conflicting views amongst experts as to the value of their neighbour's inventions, would always be ready to take advantage of the ingenuity of the marine engineer. ViceAdmiral Field, in submitting the toast of our ships, colonies, and commerce, humorously commented upon the far-reaching character of the subject, and presumed he had been chosen to submit the toast because he had no connection with ships, knew nothing of commerce, and because he was supposed not to, but did know, something about the colonies. He spoke feelingly of the terrible disaster, only then just reported, of the Drummond Castle, and reminded the company that they were excellently represented in Parliament by those who were in no way backward in expressing their opinions, and seemed to think that engineers could not only drive their engines, but the whole Navy into the bargain. He himself had been told by a marine engineer in the House that admirals and captains were played out, and only fit to swab the decks; but suggested that it would be in better taste for all branches to use the pronoun "we," instead of "I," and work together as true partners. As to shipping, he had learned that the tonnage of British shipping was more than half that of the whole world, and that over 600,000 vessels left and entered British ports every year. As to the Colonies, he had heard a great deal of Imperial and Colonial, and commercial tederation, which, however, could not be accomplished at once, but he hoped in time to see all these ambitions accomplished. Sir James Mackay, in responding on behalf of the Colonies, considered that marine engineering, our dependencies, our ships and our

Marine engi

commerce, were indissolubly united. neers have done much to secure prompt communication with our Colonies, and have secured them to us, whilst in their turn the Colonies have developed commerce and called forth our ships. Sixty-five years back the British Steam Mercantile Marine numbered 298 vessels, with perhaps 900 marine engineers a float, whilst now it consists of 8,386 steamers, with probably 35,000 engineers afloat. The increase of tonnage and economical machinery have enabled colonial and foreign produce to be transported to our doors at a less cost than they can be conveyed by land for a hundredth part of the distance, and this has changed completely the economic conditions of our country. Though engines are completely transplanting sails and masts, it is still a distant day when navigation will be done in the engine-room and steamers worked on the starting platform. Lieut. Col. Denny proposed the toast of the evening, the Institute of Marine Engineers, and referred feelingly to the deep interest taken by his late father in the Institute, and also of the danger bravely faced by the engineering staff on our ships of war, steadfast to their duty within locked doors, out of God's light, whatever disaster might befall the vessel. Mr. Adamson, in reply to the toast, impressed the duty upon engineers to constantly march onward with improvements, and stated that we might boast, as a nation, that we had helped to engine the navies of the world. The proceedings terminated with toasts to the visitors and kindred Institutions, and the health of the President, who, in reply, complimented the sturdy growth and self-efficiency of the Institute and the favourable regard in which marine engineers were generally held by those who knew them.

THE relations between the German Empire and Great Britain are now of the most cordial description. The Institution of Naval Architects have been the ambassadors of amity and good-will, and the German Empire by its representatives, the Ober Bürgermeisters of the municipalities of Hamburg and Berlin, the German Emperor himself in person, and all those interested in Marine Engineering, shipbuilding and cognate industries, have by their magnificent and hearty reception of the leading Institute of our shipping industries ratified the friendly compact of good-fellowship. The visit of the Institute of Naval Architects to Hamburg, Berlin and Stettin, has been an unqualified success, due no doubt to the directing master mind of the German Emperor himself, who took a keen and personal interest in the more than adequate entertainment of the visitors he evidently delighted to honour, and to the energetic

carrying out of his intentions by the reception committees, and notably amongst these gentlemen, by the courteous, assiduity and attention of Herr C. Ferd Laeisz, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, of Hamburg, A.I.N.A., who met the members of the Institute on the Fürst Bismarck, which had been especially sent for them by the Hamburg-American Company, whose manager, Herr John Meyer, met the guests at Hamburg; and thereafter in Berlin, by His Excellency Admiral Hollmann, Imperial Secretary of State for the Navy, and Herr Dietrich, Constructorin-Chief of the Imperial Navy, though allmembers of the large reception committees of Hamburg and Berlin vied with one another in their care for the comfort, entertainment, and honourable reception of the visitors. After a very quiet and pleasant passage across the North Sea, Lord Hopetoun, the Pces ident, and company were met by a special river steamer, and the reception committee of Hamburg, and after settling their hotels and luncheon they were conducted by steamer around the docks and works of Messrs. Blohm & Voss, who were themselves members of the reception committee and members of the Institute, and in order that the visitors should not want for entertainment after the serious business of the day, they were embarked on special steamers to make the tour of the Alster Lakes, where they enjoyed an open air concert at the Uhlenhorst Garden, and wound up a most enjoyable day by a supper and concert in the lower part of the new Rathhaus, given by the Senate of the City of Hamburg. Next day business was resumed at an early hour by papers being read in the theatre of the Concert-haus, to which the visitors were conducted by 140 private carriages, which remained at their disposal all the day and evening, conducting them after the meeting to a luncheon at the charming Fahrhaus, on the Elbe, and afterwards from the St. Pauli landing stage by a special steamer, supplied by Mesrs. Blohm & Voss, to an invitation dinner at Blankenese on the Elbe. On the return the banks of the river were illuminated by the residents, and boats and launches brilliantly illuminated were in attendance like a Richmond fête, thus terminating with a gala-like scene the second busy day in Hamburg. Or the Wednesday, June 10th, the company departed by a special train on the State Railways, and after a suitable interval for settling themselves at their hotels, attended by invitation an entertainment at the New Royal Opera House, Berlin, with a supper at 9.30 p.m. in the adjoining saloons and front garden terrace. On the following day business was again resumed, by papers being read at the Technical High School, where the students, in their varied and picturesque uniform, formed as it were, a

guard of honour. The Institution was here formally received by the President and members of the Berlin reception committee, and the reading of the papers was personally attended by the Emperor, who accorded the members the unprecedented honour of attending in the uniform of a British admiral, and evinced much interest in and approval of what he heard, and was accorded a most hearty and enthusiastic greeting by the members, who were much gratified by the personal interest shown them by the Emperor. The afternoon was devoted to the sights of Berlin, and visits to various works open to the visitors, the evening being devoted to the dinner of the Institution, which returned on this occasion the great courtesy and hospitality of the reception committees of Berlin and Hamburg. On Friday, after an open morning, came the great official fête of the meeting, viz., a reception by the Emperor himself, at the New Palace, Potsdam, court carriages being provided for the visitors, who arrived at the private station belonging to the palace. The reception was most cordial by the Emperor and Empress in person, who were personally introduced to many members of the Institute, and the former partook of supper with the company, and took a final farewell of them at the station upon their departure. Saturday morning was again occupied by business in the reading of further papers in the amphitheatre of the building for Chemical Industry, pleasantly closed by an invitation luncheon in the Exhibition Park, near the lake under the great Water Tower, given by the representatives of Berlin Commerce and Industry. On Monday, June 15th, this most interesting and successful visit was terminated by a trip to the Vulcan Company at Stettin, who provided an excellent luncheon. The visitors saw three large steamers for the German Lloyd Co., and two cruisers in the stocks, and the excellent organisation, method, and cleanly appearance of the works and workmen was very noticeable, and in contrast to the grimy condition of both, so generally seen in our large works. In conclusion, the thanks of all members and guests must be accorded to the courteous and able secretary of the Institution, Mr. George Holmes, for his able organisation of the visit, and his earnest courtesy and attention to all.

Gunboats for the Nile.-On Monday, June 22nd, Messrst Forrestt & Son, Limited, of Wivenhoe, despatched the first of some stern-wheel gunboats which they are building for the Egyptian Government. The gunboats are intended to assist the troops engaged in the present Soudan expedition.

French Naval Attache.-Captain Richard has been appointed French naval attaché in place of the late Captain le Clerc, and the naval and dockyard authorities have been instructed to afford him the same facilities as were given to his predecessor.

As it

indicating on numerous charts the positions referred to. was of purely local interest we do not purpose reproducing this paper or the discussion on it. "Shipbuilding in Germany," by Herr C. F. Laeisz, chairman of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce. "Recent Improvements in Ship-docking Appliances,' by Lyonel Clark, Esq. The last paper was taken as read, and therefore no discussion took place on it.

The members were afterwards driven round the principal parts of the town, and set down at the Fahrhaus, where luncheon was served, after which the guests were driven round the Alster Basin and back to their hotels. Shortly after 6 the visitors left by Ballin's steamer Prinzessin Heinrich (a new boat built by Messrs. Blohm & Voss) for Blankenese, where a dinner was given by the citizens and ladies of Hamburg. Brilliant displays of fireworks were made along the banks of the Elbe, and large numbers of people were in boats viewing the spectacle. The party broke up about ten and returned by the same steamer.

On Wednesday, at 9.45 a.m., the Institute bade a reluctant farewell to its kind friends at Hamburg and left in two special trains for Berlin, reaching the Lehrter railway station about 2 p.m., where they were received by some members of the Berlin reception committee.

The official reception took place at the New Royal Opera House, where the members, in response to an invitation from the Imperial German Government, attended at 7.30 p.m. The party was met in the "Roman" Hall by the reception committee, headed by Vice-Admiral von Hollman, with whom were Herr Zelle, chief Mayor of Berlin, and Dr. Bosse, Von Berlepsch, Von der Recke, and Herr Schoenstedt, Ministers of State; Count Von Posadowsky, Secretary of State, Count von Wedel, Minister of the Royal Household; Von Buol, President of the Reichstag, a number of the leading members of the Reichstag, and Herr Goldberger, Counsellor of Commerce, as representative of the Exhibition Committee, and in addition a number of German and English Naval officers and many ladies. The formal reception was followed at 8 p.m. hy a "gala" performance, consisting of the second act of "Tannhauser," and a ballet. The programme was printed in English. After the performance supper was served in various rooms and on the terrace, covers being laid for about 1,000, the band of the 2nd Guard's Regiment performing during the repast.

The first meeting in Berlin was held June 11th, in the large hall of the Technical Academy. The Senate headed by the Rector, Professor Muller, Breslau, and surrounded by the students, received the committee of the Institute, headed by the Earl of Hopetoun, at 9.45. Professor Muller, Breslau, having delivered an address, which was replied to by the President, the proceedings were shortly afterwards graced by the presence of His Majesty the Emperor, who arrived soon after ten, dressed in the full uniform of an English Admiral. After a short welcome from the Rector, the Emperor at once turned to the Earl of Hopetoun, whom he greeted in English, and with a hearty handclasp, His Majesty afterwards leading the procession into the large Hall, where on arrival the Emperor welcomed the members. The President having given the signal for the proceedings to commence, Admiral Hollmahn, Imperial Minister of Marine, delivered an inaugural speech, co cluding with words to the effect that the members would see, from the presence of their distinguished honorary member, the German Emperor, what great importance was attached to the labours of the Institute, and expressed a wish that this year's meeting on German soil would have the same fruitful results as had hitherto distinguished all their undertakings. The speech, which was made in German, was repeated by Mr. Holmes in English, and was received with long-continued applause. An equally stormy ovation greeted, later on, in the course of a discussion, a speech by Sir Wm. White, in which, inter alia, he congratulated the Emperor on the victories of his new yacht Meteor, protracted cheering showing that the representatives of English shipbuilding were far from begrudging the Emperor his victory. His Majesty rose from his place and bowed by way of acknowledgment.

The Earl of Hopetoun, in his reply to Admiral Hollman thanked the Emperor for his appearance, and the Government and reception committee, and said they were proud to number His Majesty among their honorary members, as they esteemed him as one who entered with full knowledge into all branches of naval science. After this official act of welcome the business part of the meeting commenced, and the two following papers were read and discussed :-" Development in the Design and Construction of German Men-of-War," by Herr A. Dietrich,

Constructor-in-Chief of the German Navy; "The Classification and Relative Power of Warships," by F. Elgar, Esq., LL.D., F.R.S.E.

A third paper, by Herr Schlick, was down for reading this day, but when, after one o'clock, the agenda of the meeting had not been fully gone through, and the Emperor rose to take leave, the chairman closed the meeting, and with the other gentlemen of the committee accompanied the Emperor to the main entrance, where he took leave from all in the most affable

manner.

The meeting then adjourned for the day, the dinner of the Institute taking place at 7 p.m., in the Grand Hall of the Kaiserhof Hotel. Lord Hopetoun was in the chair, and was supported by Dr. Bosse, Minister for Education, on his right, and by Mr. Gosselin, of the British Embassy, on his left. Admiral Hollman, Lord Charles Beresford, Sir E. J. Reed, Sir Wm. White, being seated, with many other notabilities, at the principal table, while the other invited guests were accommodated at twelve cross tables. It was not until nearly ten o'clock that the chairman rose for the first toast, proposing the health of the German Emperor, whom he congratulated on the victory of his yacht, and concluded with the remark that "Emperor William will always be our most welcome guest." Dr. Bosse proposed the health of Queen Victoria, and other speakers followed.

Though Friday, June 12th, was, so far as the reading of papers and other formal matters were concerned, a dies non, it will ever remain a red letter day in the social functions of the Institute, for on that day the members were received by the Emperor and Empress in the new palace at Potsdam, an event which was certainly one of the most brilliant items of the entire programme. The guests were conveyed at 6.40 p.m. by special trains to Wodpark Station, where carriages were in readiness to convey them to the palace. The Emperor, wearing the uniform of an admiral of the British Fleet, and the Empress, surrounded by their suite, received their guests in the brightly illuminated reception rooms on the ground floor of the palace. Refreshments were afterwards served in the Jasper Gallery and in the Shell Room, and their Majesties entered into conversation with a number of the guests, the Emperor conversing particularly with the Earl of Hopetoun, Sir Wm. White, and other eminent members of the Institute. After spending about an hour and a half in the Palace, the whole party adjourned to the terrace to view a torchlight procession and military tattoo ordered by the Emperor.

Several hundred soldiers, each bearing a magnesium torch, marched up the avenue, the music being supplied by eight military bands massed as one. For about an hour they performed together, British airs alternating with German music, the performance concluding with the "Prayer Tattoo," which was sounded at 10 o'clock. Before the last of the men had filed off the guests were already being driven to the station, where a special train stood in waiting to convey them back. The Emperor had followed them, and as the train steamed slowly out of the station he stood on the platform in a posture of military salute, a parting compliment which caused hats and handkerchiefs to be waved from all the carriage windows, accompanied by enthusiastic acclamations, and so closed a day ever to be remembered with pleasure by those privileged to participate in it.

Saturday again saw the members astir early, as they were timed to leave the Tannowitz Bridge at 9.30 on a visit to the exhibition, where the representatives of Berlin commerce and manufactures had prepared a brilliant reception for them. Two special steamers, tastefully decorated with the German and British colours, conveyed the guests, who were specially honoured by the steamers being permitted to land their passengers at the Emperor's Pier," which had not been used since the opening day, when the Emperor landed there. Here the members were received by the whole Reception Committee, and led to the auditorium of the Chemistry Section, richly decorated for the occasion. Mr. Herz, Privy Councillor, and chairman of the "College of Elders" of the Berlin Mercantile Community, welcomed the visitors in a speech, in which he said that the representatives of commerce and industry could not refrain from paying a special mark of respect to the Institution of Naval Architects on their visit to Berlin, adding that they gratefully acknowledged the benefits which the progress in navigation conferred on every branch of international traffic, and they fully recognised the endeavours of the Institution to promote progress in matters of navigation and naval construction. The address having been repeated in English, elicited the applause of those