between the Downs and the Long Sand (to the North of the North Foreland at the mouth of the Thames).  Some of the old names under the former dual system are seen to be commemorated in the Nimble (41 tons, 2 guns, 15 men).  Her station was Deal, and she used to cruise between the Forelands.  The Tartar of this period was of 100 tons, had 10 guns and 23 men.  But the Greyhound, probably one of the fastest cruisers, was of 200 tons, mounted 16 guns, and carried 43 men.  Her cruising ground was between Beachy Head and the Start, and her station at Weymouth.  A much smaller craft was the cruiser Busy (46 tons and 11 men).  Her cruising was in a much smaller area—­around Plymouth Sound and Cawsand Bay.

Owing to the fact that commanders had been wont too often to run into port for real or imaginary repairs, the Commissioners decided that in future, when a cruiser put in, she was to inform the Collector and Controller of that port by means of her commander, and both to give his reasons for coming in, and to estimate the length of time he was likely to remain in port, before his being able to sail again.

With regard to the prize-money which these cruisers were able to make; before the year 1790 there had been a diversity of practice in the method of sharing.  In allotting rewards to officers for seizing vessels which afterwards had been taken into the Revenue Service, it had formerly been the practice to deduct the whole of the charges out of the officers’ moiety of the appraised value.  But from April 14, 1790, “for the encouragement of the seizing officers,” the charge was deducted from the total appraised value, and the seizing officers were to be paid a moiety of the net produce, if any.  It had also been the custom to allow the commanders of Admiralty cruisers permission to use seized vessels as tenders.  But from May 6, 1790, this practice was also discontinued by the Board, who ordered that in case any such vessels were so employed at the different ports, the commanders were to deliver them up “with their tackle, apparel, and furniture,” to the Collector and Controller of Customs.

We referred some time back to the fact that these Revenue cruisers at times were mobilised for war, and also that to them were granted Letters of Marque.  In this connection there is to be noted an interesting warrant, under the King’s sign-manual, dated June 11, 1795, which reads:—­

“Whereas the Commissioners of our Treasury have represented unto us that the cutters in the service of our Revenues of Customs have captured several Ships and Vessels belonging to the enemy, and have recommended it unto us to issue our warrant to grant the proceeds of the Prizes that have been or shall be taken by the cutters in the service of our Customs, granted to the cutters capturing such prizes respectively, and the expenses of the proceedings, in regard thereto, among officers and crews of the vessels in the search of our Customs,