with equal facility be represented, and this mode would have the advantage of having the positions visible at a greater distance. All the posts necessary could, without much inconvenience, be transported with an army, and easily put up in suitable stations. Suppose six stations in the line of an army, and each distant from the other three miles, and at each station three posts erected, any signal might be communicated from one extremity to the other, being a distance of 15 miles, in less time than one minute.

TABLE III.-Telegraphic Signals by Six Flags on the Semaphoric Plan, referring, 1st, to Sentences, numbered from 1 to 342 inclusive; 2dly, to Letters of the Alphabet; and 3dly, to Words of a Vocabulary.

1

N. B. The Tinctures or Colours of the Flags are distinguished

as follows; viz. Red by perpendicular lines thus

Blue by

horizontal lines thus

and Yellow by dots

Explanation of Table III. with Six Flags.

By the combination of Two Flags, as in the two upper horizontal columns, 48 signals may be expressed, and by the combination of Three Flags at the different parts, as expressed in, the vertical column on the left, 342 signals may be represented on similar principles of arithmetical progression, as explained in the Semaphoric positions of Three Signal Men, in Table 1.

The flags in Table III. are to be shewn at the fore main or mizen masts of a ship, or, which implies the same thing, forward, centre, and aft, of a vessel with one or two masts; or larboard yard-arm, inast-head, and starboard yard-arm, when it may be necessary to communicate signals from the shore, with a mast and yard across; or if from one military station to another, the flags may be shewn at three posts, twelve or fifteen feet asunder, distinguished left, centre, and right hand posts.

In the annexed Table there are Six different Flags, each of two colours, and each flag separately or conjointly hoisted, represents the numbers expressed in the table. The flag distinguished by letter A (Red and Blue horizontally divided), shewn at the fore, or left-hand post, represents 1; at the main or centre 2; and at the mizen or right, 3. The flag B (Red and Yellow horizontally divided), shewn at the fore or left, represents 4; at the centre, 5; and at the mizen or right, 6.

The second horizontal line contains also two flags; viz. the Flag Blue and Yellow horizontally divided, distinguished by letter C; and the Flag Red and Blue quartered, called D, which flags denote, in arithmetical progression of numbers, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42, as represented under the parts where hoisted.

There are two other distinct flags; viz. Red and Yellow quartered, and Blue and Yellow quartered, termed E and F, placed in the vertical column to the left, with their correspondent numbers prefixed when hoisted singly, but if hoisted with any of the flags in the second horizontal column, the number will be found in the Table expressed at the angle of meeting of both flags, and the intermediate numbers, from 1 to 6 inclusive, will be represented by adding the correspondent number of the upper horizontal column to those

already denoted.

Consequently by the combination of these Six Flags, 342 signals or sentences so numbered, can, by this arrangement, be made.

EXAMPLES. Firstly, with One Flag at a time. The Flags A and B represent, as expressed under them, when shewn at the parts specified, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.-Secondly, with Two Flags at a time. To denote or make the signal 56, the Flag E would be shewn at the fore, representing 49, and the Flag C hoisted over it at the fore, representing 7, making together, as expressed at the angle of meeting in the Table, the signal 56. If Flag C were to accompany the former, but shewn at the main or centre, representing 14, it would represent 63, and so forth with any two flags.-Thirdly, with Three Flags. The Flag E, shewn at the main, representing 98; the Flag C, at the fore, representing 7; and the Flag A over it at the fore, representing 1, make together 106. To denote 312, the Flag F would be shewn at the mizen or right, denoting 294, with the Flag C at the main, denoting 14, which gives, at the angle of meeting in Table, 308, and at the same time hoisting B at the fore, representing 4, will give 312, the number required, and so forth from 1 to 342 inclusive, as represented in the figures of Table.

As each flag is composed of two distinct colours, and so arranged as to make different signals when inverted, another Table, if required in the inverted order, may be made, so as to represent 342 additional correspondent numbers, making in all, with six flags, 684 signals; but if only 342 are required, the six flags may be of any colours or forms.

Preparative signals for the different arrangements of which the Table is susceptible can be made without interfering with the tabular numbers; viz. When Flag A is hoisted over Flag B, where best seen, it will denote preparative to the signals going to be made, having references to significations or sentences, numbered from 1 to 342. When Flag B is hoisted over Flag A, where best seen, it will be preparative to the alphabetic arrangement in Table IV. for spelling of words. When Flag C is hoisted over Flag D, at the most conspicuous place, it will denote the preparative of the third arrangement of the Tables to words of a Vocabulary or Dictionary, each letter, to have the most essential words numbered on the margin from 1 to 342 inclusive. Several other independent or preparative signals may be made.

TABLE IV.-Arrangement, representing the Letters of the Alphabet by the combination of the First Three Flags of the preceding Table, and only One or Two of them shewn at a time.

It is to be observed that this Table, representing the letters of alphabet by flags, is on the principles analogous to the Semaphoric plan by the positions of Two Signal Men in Table II.

The two Flags in the upper column, hoisted singly at the parts specified, represent letters A to F inclusive. The Flag III. hoisted at the fore, or left post, represents G, but when combined with Flag I. hoisted over it at the fore, letter H will be represented, as expressed at the angle of meeting. If Flag III. at the fore be accompanied by Flag I. at the main, it will represent letter I, and so forth for the other letters in that horizontal column, as expressed at the respective angles of meeting. If Flag III. be shewn at the main or centre post it will

represent N, but when accompanied with Flag I. at the fore it will represent O, and so forth for the other letters in this column, and the remaining column in Table to the end of Alphabet.

Third arrangement, for representing the Words of a Vocabulary. This is effected by the combination of the two tables, consequently two separate signals for each word must be made; the first will refer to the letter in Table IV. and the second to the number in Table III. correspondent to the word.-Example. Suppose a word under letter L had the number 70 prefixed to it, the Alphabetic Signal in Table IV. for L would be made, then the numeral signal in Table III. for 70 would be made: thus the several words necessary to compose a sentence in a concise manner, would be com. municated to a great distance, in a very short time.

As the flags of two colours, selected for Table III. are (as noticed page 27) capable of representing 342 additional signals when hoisted in the inverted order, another Table on similar principles may be constructed in continuation of the numbers from 343 to 684. This last multiplied by 26, the letters of alphabet, will give 17,784, the number of words which can be denoted by the combination of Six Flags *.

IMPERIAL GRATITUDE.

BELISARIUS was in plenary possession of his imperial master's confidence; he had won it by his achievements in the field, and by the wisdom of the counsel which he gave in the cabinet; for he was not only a great Captain, but a consummate Statesman; his head and heart were formed for mighty things, which the enemies of the empire more than once experienced: but as rust attaches itself to the most polished steel, and noxious worms do irreparable injury to the most precious wood, so does corroding envy pursue desert, until it has caused its downfall. Envy was the only foe which the virtue and talents of Belisarius could not disarm; nay, it was the only foe that could subdue him, by depriving him of the well-earned confidence of his august master. This hero is, perhaps, the most memorable instance of a successful General being banished the court, and from the summit of power of being precipitated into an abyss of wretchedness, without having the shadow of a crime imputed to him. The treatment which Belisarius experienced, should serve as an awful memento to all those who are placed on the pinnacle of princely favour.

"Mortel, foible mortel, toi, dont le sort prospère

Fait goûter de ses dons les charmes dangéreux,
› Connois qu'elle est des rois la faveur passagere;
Contemple Belisaire-tremble d'être heureux !''

Frail mortal, thou, who soar'st on fortune's wings,
By grandeur courted, and by power carest,

O learn how fleeting are the smiles of kings,
View Belisarius, and with fear be blest!

I shall feel myself particularly obliged by any further communication from the Author of this useful and admirably-digested essay.

EDITOR.