―137―Art. VIII.
The Naval Gazetteer, or Sea-
man's complete Guide, &c. &c.
By the Rev. John Malham. Il-
lustrated with a correct Set of
Charts. The first American Edition,
in two Volumes large 8vo. Boston.
W. Spotswood and J. Nancrede.
1797.
THIS very handsome and cheap
edition of a very useful work,
cannot but be acceptable to all those
who are engaged in naval affairs.
Compilations, in the form of diction-
aries, by affording a cheap, commo-
dious, and comprehensive mass of
information for every class of read-
ers, are deservedly esteemed, as aiding
the extension of useful knowledge.
While books of that kind, in al-
most every science, have been pub-
lished, none adapted to the conve-
nience of seamen have before the
present work appeared. The une-
ducated mariner was obliged to con-
tent himself, with very limited and
scanty information, on subjects be-
longing to his profession, and which
could not be acquired without much
previous experience.
The re-publication of the “Na-
val Gazetteer,” at a time when the
attention of our citizens is particu-
larly directed to naval affairs, is sea-
sonable, and must be highly bene-
ficial.
The introduction, which is of
some length, contains many useful
geographical observations; an ac-
count of winds and tides; means
of finding the time of high water;
a general account of the coasts of
the known world; important direc-
tions to navigators, with respect to
the anchorage and management of
vessels on a lee-shore; and other
preliminary remarks proper for a
work of the kind.
It abounds with ample and judi-
cious directions for sailing in and
out of ports, straits, and difficult
places, and points out the dangers
and means of avoiding them.
The author has availed himself
of the modern discoveries, and of ob-
servations of experienced naviga-
tors. His work discovers much di-
ligence and information, and we re-
commend it to our nautical citizens,
as the best and most comprehensive
treatise on naval affairs which has
been presented to the public.
We trust, that the editors will
meet with that encouragement from
those engaged in mercantile and na-
val affairs, which they so fully and
justly deserve.