risk so much for our wealth and convenience. To guard against short commons and long voyages, ships should be induced to take in a larger stock of provisions than customary, and it would be a happy discovery if we could make some improvement in the salting and preserving of provisions.

Ventilation is another point greatly conducive to health. Ships cannot in all weathers bring their bedding upon deck; and ventilators, as at present constructed, have been rather of a passive than of an active nature. There is a machine, which from its simplicity need not be expensive, that an ingenious man has invented as a cooler in his manufactory; it is on the principle of a winnowing machine in a box open at two ends, with a long wooden trough that might be extended at pleasure; it is worked by one man, and can convey in or out of the hold of a ship good or bad air at pleasure and to a great extent.

I remember the late Mr. Blackburne, the surveyor, relating that when he was at Gloucester the gaol fever chanced to prevail there with great virulence, and the object being to ventilate a small room that held about thirty people, it was effected by the means of a small coach-wheel with little sails, placed in a box over the ceiling that had a funnel to go out of doors; holes being made in the ceiling, the air rushed through with great impetuosity, when this wheel-machine set to work and completely ventilated the gaol. It would be easy, by means of a wheel or some other machine, to ventilate actively the holds of ships in all weathers, and it would be peculiarly serviceable to tenders and transports.

I will not lengthen this letter, already too long, by an apology, but congratulate you by observing that there is

a new-invented patent wheel to pump ships without manual labour, which works, when immersed in the sea, by the resistance of the ship to the sea while sailing; at all times it will be a useful discovery, and particularly so

when ships are leaky and their crews are worn down with fatigue and disease. Sincerely wishing well to your

scheme,

June, 1791.

I am, SIR,

Yours, &c.

A. B.

No. 3.

ROYAL EXCHANGE ASSURANCE.

[Continued from page 9.]

COPY OF THE VOTE OF THANKS, &c.

"At a Court of Directors, London, June 7th, 1820.

"The Sub-Governor, by desire of the COMMITTEE "of INSPECTION, communicated to the Court the following Resolution of that Committee :—

"The Governor, William Vaughan, Esq. having pre"sented to this Committee a Report, dated the 29th of

May last, accompanied with several Books of State"ments and Calculations framed and arranged by himself,

exhibiting results of our operations in the several bran"ches of the Sea, Fire, and Life Assurances and Annuities, "down to the 30th of April, 1819, and shewing, in a "most clear, perspicuous, and combined view, the state " of the Company's affairs at that period; and it being "stated in that Report that it is the wish of Mr. Vaughan "that this said Report should be deposited with the pre"sent and future Governors, in order to be referred to "when necessary by the Committee of Inspection:

66

"The Committee have resolved, and do hereby resolve, "to express and record their cordial thanks to Mr. Vaughan for the labour, skill, and judgment displayed "by him in framing these valuable books and documents; "and do further resolve, that it will be expedient and advantageous to this Corporation that the system and

“

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principles on which these documents have been framed "by the Governor, should henceforth continue to be applied to all future subsequent transactions in our several "and respective branches of business under the superin"tendance of the Governors for the time being.

"Resolved unanimously,

"That the Governor be requested to sit for his picture, "as a testimony of the high sense the Court entertain of "the eminent services rendered by him to the Company; " and that the Committee of Treasury be requested to superintend the execution of the same.”

THE ANSWER.

"To the Governors and Court of Directors of the
Royal Exchange Assurance.

"GENTLEMEN,

"London, 12th June, 1820.

"I request the Court will be pleased to accept my best "thanks for the honour conferred upon me, by directing "the Resolutions of the Committee of Inspection to be "entered upon the Minutes of this Court, respecting a Report and Statements of mine on the concerns of the "Corporation up to the 30th of April, 1819.

"It is peculiarly gratifying to my feelings, that the Com"mittee of Inspection and this Court have been pleased "so unanimously to approve of the plans and suggestions " in the Report and accounts presented by me, directing "the hints and regulations therein suggested to be adopt"ed in all subsequent and future transactions, under the

"direction and inspection of the Governor for the time "being.

"The accompanying the Resolution with a request that "I might sit for my picture, I cannot but accept as an "additional token of the kindness of this Court; and the

more to be valued from its being to be placed near the 66 picture of one of the best of men,* whom all loved and "respected.

"I beg to repeat my sincere acknowledgements for the "honour conferred upon me; with the assurance that I "shall use my best endeavours, in the performance of my "duties, to promote the welfare and prosperity of this "Corporation.

"I have the honour to subscribe myself,

"GENTLEMEN,

"Your most obedient humble servant,

(Signed)

"WILLIAM VAUGHAN."

December 4, 1821.

On a Resolution of the Court of Directors of the Royal Exchange Assurance Company that the picture of William Vaughan, the Governor, should be hung up in the CourtRoom,

The Governor stated, that he should have been wanting in duty and respect, if he had not returned them his sincere thanks for the honour they had done him by permitting that token of their kindness, now before him, to be honoured with a place in their Court-Room; an honour the more to be valued from its being so seldom conferred,

* Edward Forster, Esq. Governor.