ALL THE WORLD'S FIGHTING SHIPS.
AU the World's Fighting Ships. By F. T. Jane. (Sampson Low, Marston, and Co. 15s.)—There is an immense amount of painstaking research and comparison involved in Mr. Jane's compilation. As a guide to the rapid identification of warships and a summary of their relative values as fighting units, it furnishes a very handy reference to those who go down to the sea in ships. A little trouble in mastering the symbols for armour and guns enables even a landsman to get a rough estimate of a ship's fighting power. The silhouettes have always seemed to us a capital idea, and Mr. Jane has expanded the idea, and strives to neglect nothing that should enable one to separate ships of a different class, but not unlike at a considerable; distance. Of course, inference plays a large part in ascertaining the nature of a stranger, especially in distant waters. The classification of guns is a sensible one. There is some slight uncertainty as to the classification of quick-firers. Is the 8 in. Elswick a real quick- firer ? Again, our 12 in. 50.ton gun is asterisked as a quick-firer. A mote informs us that it is a rapid loader ; it is not quite the same thing, though for a gun of that calibre next door to it. And yet again, the newest 6 in. quick-firers are not officially known as quick-firers, because they have not a metal cartridge case. Probably in an engagement this technical distinction would be found to be a practical distinction too. Mr. Jane lets few details escape him, as his notes prove. Very neat and clear, too, are the plans showing the lateral range or sweep of the guns- i.e., the angle of fire—a very important feature in the armament of a disabled ship. We can recommend this most carefully prepared and cleverly arranged manual to all, especially to those it may concern. Even your man-o'-war's man is not so well acquainted with his opponents' ships as he might be.
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