SIR HENRY BULWER AND THE HECATE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR.
Cape Clear, 10th November 1849. Wind, Sou'-weat-lq-west, fresh gale. .Sra--1•see in the,papers, the Llecate, one of her Majesty's stram-vetatiels, ordered to convey Sir H. L. Bulwer to the United States. What grievous offinoe has the unfortunate gentleman committed since be quit- ted Madrid, that lie 1, to be punished by a winter's-cruise on [he Athintie.(cer- tainly pot over) in H.M. ateamer Hecate, of 800 tons and 200 horse-power? -Get in sending our Minister Plenipotentiary to Washington in a steamer of war that loaded with fuel cannot carry guns, and efficientlyartned is useless as a steamer, is his mission intended to show our practical adoption of Peace principles? Has the accomplished diplomatist never heard of Sir Charles Saga's attempt at a steam-voyage across the Atlantic in one of H.M.steamers yelept the Styx, that be tempts his late in the Hecate? or is he bent on qualifying as a witaess for the next Parliamentary inquiry on the inefficiency of H. M. steam marine? With national 'cuteness, the American Minister liberally patronized Cunard's packet for his Transatlantic conveyance home. With the confiding trust of an English gentleman, our Ambassador steps on board the vessel -provided fur his transport by the authorities at Whitehall, with, the idea .of arriving at his elestiaa- tion in her. I wonder what sum would tempt aMsacliester bagman, -or Yaukee tailor with a new pattern, or any man to whom time is an .object„,. to make the voyage to the United States' at this season of the year, in the Hecate? But what on opportunity hag been lost—it being necessary to send our Am- bassador in one of H.M. steam-vessels--of testing the powers of that extraordi- nary vessel the Sidon ! If she had arrived after a quick passage, what an effect her appearance would have upon the Americans! if she-put back as the_SIO. did and as the Hecate will do, what a relief to the country toget rid of the jeremuides of her gallant designer against all other naval architects! I hope.Sir Henry has no ladies in his suite? If there are, I woold St;gvst so experimental trip to my locality, the limit of the Styx's voyage, beffire erimarking them. If after that they venture, however long they may be on the.Athunie, they may rest assured they arc as sale as the Chickens of
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