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and that it has for many years been making a sure, though slow,progress towards the improved state it has already attained.

IRON CANAL BOATS.

The first traces that I can discover of the construction of ironvessels, are of those built for the canals of this country. Of these,a few, I believe, were built as far back as forty years since, and it isstated by those who have had a good opportunity of knowing, thatsome of them may still he in existence. During the meeting of theBritish Association in Glasgow, after a paper had been read on thesubject of iron vessels, several gentlemen communicated facts,which had come within their own knowledge, with respect to theirearly introduction. A friend, in writing on this subject, states thata gentleman in Staffordshire was at that time cutting up some ironvessels which had been at work twenty-eight years. My partner,Mr. Page, was engaged in building several canal boats of iron, up-wards of thirty years since ; and I have myself seen iron vessels inStaffordshire, of a still greater age, hut the precise date of the con-struction of which I could not ascertain. These facts are interest-ing, not only as proving that the subject has long been under theattention of practical men, but as evidence of the strength and dura-bility of iron vessels, points to which I shall hereafter more fullyallude.

THE AARON MANBY, IRON STEAMER.

The first iron steam vessel, and the first that ever put to sea,was built by the Horsley Co., for the Seine, and called the “ AaronManby,” after the name of the projector. I have lately been favouredby Mr. Manby with the particulars relating to this vessel, which arevery interesting as recording the origin of iron steam vessels. Hestates in his communication, dated 19th February, 1642, that undera patent which he took out in France for iron steam boats, in1820, he, with his friend Captain (now Admiral Sir Charles) Napier,formed a Society, and immediately began to construct their firstboat at Horsley, but owing to some circumstances connected withthe parties at Paris, she was not completed till the end of 1821.She was then sent to London in parts, and put together in dock.She took in a cargo of linseed and iron castings, and Captain