The Bellerophon.' By Edward Fraser. (Wells Gardner, Darton, and Co.
Gs.)—The `Bellerophon' was launched, or rather launched itself, on October 6th, 1786. Stormy weather had loosened the supports, and before the appointed time the ship was seen to shake. To avoid disaster, the ceremony was reduced to throwing the customary bottle of port at the bows, after drinking a glass to the success of H.M.S. Bellerophon.' The dog- shores were cut away—they were already giving—and the hull slid into the Medway. The invited company came too late. Tho ship was not employed till 1793. It took part in the "Glorious First of June" (1794), in the battle of the Nile, and was in the thick of the fight at Trafalgar. Ten years later came the incident which has made its name more than commonly familiar,—the
surrender of Napoleon. Tho story is told at length here, and wc, see the falsity of the charges brought against our Government, and that by people who ought to know better. Napoleon made more than one attempt to escape to America. Failing in this, ho proposed to "become a guest at our fireside," as some one expresses it. The surrender was unconditional, and it was made to an English ship because any other European Power would in all probability have put him to death on the spot. The story of the ship's career is well worth reading, always interesting, and some- times instructive. Here is an item of the per contra side of a free Press, with a lively competition for news. The London newspapers published the fact that a large convoy of ammunition and stores would sail early in October for the Mediterranean, escorted by only four men-of-war. Spies in England sent the news to France, and the French sent seven ships of the line and two frigates to intercept. No harm came, for Lord Howe was on the alert. Unfortunately he was prevented by adverse circum- stances from dealing the counter-stroke which he intended. The offending newspapers promptly charged him with cowardice. As soon as we have a war—or an election—we see the seamy side of government by parties.
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