SIR, — Will you please allow me to assure Mr. Higginson (Spectator,
February 11th), that when he sees "the scheme" set forth he will find his objections fully met ? As he hints, I have elsewhere set forth my views as to the number of officers being turned out and the lamentable lack of seamen. And I see no earthly reason why our sea-going training-ships should not be like the old ships of the naval training squadron in their personnel,—i.e., the great majority of the crews boys training for seamen (foremast hands), and a small proportion, say twenty or thirty, young fellows getting the best possible training for officers. I hope to set forth the scheme next week, but in the meantime perhaps you will allow me to dissociate myself from the sweeping condemnation of ship-owners generally in Mr. Higginson's letter and your footnote. Of course there are a few bad men in the ship-owning trade, but the majority of them do not at all deserve to be considered less humane or generous than mer- chants ashore. However, that is matter for a much longer letter than this ought to be, and so I will at present say no more upon the subject.—I am, Sir, Sec., George Hotel, Kilmarnock. F. T. Bummi.
(TO THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR:1
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