In the winter of ’53, I went from Marseilles to Civita Vecchia, in one of the magnificent P. and O. ships, the “Valetta,” the master of which subsequently did distinguished service in the Crimea.  This was his first Mediterranean voyage, and he sailed his ship by the charts alone, going into each port as surely as any pilot.  I remember walking the deck at night with this most skilful, gallant, well-bred, and well-educated gentleman, and the glow of eager enthusiasm with which he assented, when I asked him whether he did not think a ribbon or order would be welcome or useful in his service.

Why is there not an order of Britannia for British seamen?  In the Merchant and the Royal Navy alike, occur almost daily instances and occasions for the display of science, skill, bravery, fortitude in trying circumstances, resource in danger.  In the first number of the Cornhill Magazine, a friend contributed a most touching story of the M’Clintock expedition, in the dangers and dreadful glories of which he shared; and the writer was a merchant captain.  How many more are there (and, for the honor of England, may there be many like him!)—­gallant, accomplished, high-spirited, enterprising masters of their noble profession!  Can our fountain of Honor not be brought to such men?  It plays upon captains and colonels in seemly profusion.  It pours forth not illiberal rewards upon doctors and judges.  It sprinkles mayors and aldermen.  It bedews a painter now and again.  It has spirited a baronetcy upon two, and bestowed a coronet upon one noble man of letters.  Diplomatists take their Bath in it as of right; and it flings out a profusion of glittering stars upon the nobility of the three kingdoms.  Cannot Britannia find a ribbon for her sailors?  The Navy, royal or mercantile, is a Service.  The command of a ship, or the conduct of her, implies danger, honor, science, skill, subordination, good faith.  It may be a victory, such as that of the “Sarah Sands;” it may be discovery, such as that of the “Fox;” it may be heroic disaster, such as that of the “Birkenhead;” and in such events merchant seamen, as well as royal seamen, take their share.

Why is there not, then, an Order of Britannia?  One day a young officer of the “Euryalus"* may win it; and, having just read the memoirs of lord DUNDONALD, I know who ought to have the first Grand Cross.

     * Prince Alfred was serving on board the frigate “Euryalus”
     when this was written.

ON SOME LATE GREAT VICTORIES.

On the 18th day of April last I went to see a friend in a neighboring Crescent, and on the steps of the next house beheld a group something like that here depicted.  A newsboy had stopped in his walk, and was reading aloud the journal which it was his duty to deliver; a pretty orange-girl, with a heap of blazing fruit, rendered more brilliant by one of those great blue papers in which oranges are now artfully wrapped, leant over the railing and listened; and opposite the nympham discentem there was a capering and acute-eared young satirist of a crossing-sweeper, who had left his neighboring professional avocation and chance of profit, in order to listen to the tale of the little newsboy.