152 THIS ST

which prevails at the Military Asylum ; hall” the day being devoted to school, whilst the remainder is occupicd with swimming—which is the first accomplish- ment taught every boy—managing small boats, and the practical part of scamanship genet all) In school, too, the boys give pcudl attention to th subjects which will be afterwards useful to them, notably to the mastery of the compass, which involves three months' study, and appears painfully complex to the uninitiated landsman. During the afternoon the entire ship is a scene ot the greatest interest and activity. Here, for instance, on the main deck 1s a long row of boys with red stripes on the right arm signify- g they belong to half of the ship's having bending struction, or knot- making. In front of them are long poles and

s company, who arc and hiteiing 1n-

great lengths of rope, with which they will make you the most wonderful knots in the deftest manner imagin- able. Although a little boy did some of the operations with con-

descending slowness (his verbal 1nstructions con- sisted of ‘**sce 'cre” at mtervals, which somewhat lacked com- prehensiveness of detail), 1T found mysclt gquitc unable to grasp the mysteries of ‘clove hiteh,” “turk’s head,” * bowling,” “running bowline,” “swab hitch,” and a varicty of other ingenious knots with curious-sounding names. I was glad to cover my stupullty by a retreat to the upper deek, where dumb-bell drill was voing on, the boys being ~arranged m two long lines. The dumb-bell excercises, which, as 15 well known, have a marked effect on the development of the muscles, arc per- formed with beautiful precision to quick, bright music played by the band; and, bringing out all the curves and lincs of the lads' little bodies, are very effective and oraccful. After th “man the yards ' was pzpc\l whercupon a swarm ol boys with the agility of monkeys climbed the rigging, and went through a varicty of nautical operations with remarkable neatness and skill. Then I paid a visit to the big hold of the ship, where T found a smart little aptain of the hold, whose business 1t 15 to

UATANNING

ND

the starboard s 4

THE

MAGAZINI.

keep clean and bright the tanks and machinery, and who is the recipient of 6d.

a week for his cncrgetic cfforts, Then 1 went along to the store-room, where all

the linen 1s kept, and here thc youthful store superintendent told me that on ad- mission cach boy gets an extensive outfit,

YARDS.

mcludimg, m addition to two suits and a number of other necessaries, a pair of mit- tens, a blue comforter, and an extra jacket, pair of trouscrs, south-wester, and knife when he goes to scea.

An exciting mcident terminated our visit in the shape of a fire, which was conducted i so realistic a4 manner, and with such deadly carnestness on the part of the nautical firemen, that for a moment we felt positively terrified, and began to cast about our chances of getting off. As we stood on the Tower deck a bell was rung, at the sound of which the entire crew assembled round us. The captain in halt a dozen meisive words then stated that the fire was i the “ealley.” No dircctions were given 5 cach lad knew exactly how to act, and carricd out his special duty, which hu had been told off for and practised from the moment he set foot on the ship, with a coolness and promptness which were ample