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Go As our force increased, it became our next duty to provide able officers. In the year 1800, the Royal Naval Academy contained only 60 midshipmen, 30 of whom every summer went on a practical excursion on board a frigate to the Baltic, and the remaining 30 sailed to the North Sea. But in 1802, their number was augmented to 120, and we had the gratification to observe the Victory of 64- guns, and the Letter-carrier, of 22 purposely fitted out for the conveyance and instruction of these future heroes. They always sail under the inspection of Captain SneedorfF,* principal superintendant of the Naval Academy. It is usual for this little expedition to touch at Cronstadt, upon which occasion, the Emperor of Russia graciously or­ ders them to Petersburg. 'i his courtesy origin­ ated with Paul I. who, perhaps, in gratitude for the services which Bering, and other Danish seamen had rendered to Russia, was pleased to invite Captain Sneedorff and his young sailors The Captain is brother to Professor Sneedorff, who while in England, on his travels, lost his life by jumping out of a coach.