29 SEPTEMBER 1894, Page 18

CAPTAIN COOK.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Why not honour the memory of Captain Cook by endowing a, cadet ship, such as described in the Spectator of September 15th? Call it the Captain Cook,' and let it be placed in the port of Whitby, whence the great navigator first sailed. There is a movement on foot to provide a fitting monument to the man who did so much to make England the great country she is, and I can think of no better than a floating college wherein to train lads for the merp mtile marine and. the Royal Navy. Cook himself was in the merchant service before being given the command of one of his Majesty's ships. Probably, the big shipping companies, such as the Peninsular and Oriental, Orient, Pacific, and others, whose revenue is largely derived from Australia, would see their way to subscribe, and I feel sure that Sir Raylton Dixon, of Gunnergate Hall, Marton-in-Cleveland (the birthplace of Captain Cook), would take the matter in hand if approached. Of what use is a ridiculous statue ? Let the monument be one which would inspire our young sailors. Some day the memory of Captain Cook will be honoured as much as that of Columbus. It is late enough to begin now.—I am, Sir, 8u.s., Middlesborough, September 16th. E. ALLAN.

P.5.—I believe that Mr. Elliot Stook, publisher, and a celebrated novelist, have both promised to subscribe to a fund.