rke--opening the year 1836 in the _United
Service Journal_--fired off the following, to me, unexpected
announcement:--

"A Nautical Dictionary, or Cyclopaedia of Naval Science and Nomenclature,
is still a desideratum. That of Falconer is imperfect and out of date.
We have heard that the design of such a work has been entertained, and
materials for its execution collected, by Captain W. H. Smyth, whom, we
earnestly recommend to prosecute an undertaking of such promise to the
service of which he is so experienced and distinguished a member--it
could not be in more competent hands."

This broad hint must have been signalled by the gallant Major in the way
of a stimulating fillip, and accordingly it aroused considerable
attention. Among those who were excited by the notification was my
friend Captain Basil Hall, who wrote to me from Paris a few days
afterwards--13th of January, 1836--in these words:

"I read a day or two ago, in the _United Service Journal_, that you had
some thoughts of preparing a Nautical Dictionary for publication; and
from your connection with that journal, or at least your acquaintance
with our friend the editor, I am led to fear that the report may be
true. You will understand the use of the word _fear_ when I tell you
that, for nearly three years, _my_ own thoughts have turned in the same
direction, and I have been busily preparing for a task to which I meant
to buckle to with a will, and to which I meant to devote some four or
five years of exclusive diligence. What I am anxious to know, as soon as
may be, is the fact of your having undertaken a similar work, _or not_.
For I assure you I am not so foolish, nor so insensible either to my own
peace of mind or my own reputation; nor am I so careless of your good
opinion and regard, as to enter the lists with you. I repeat, neither my
feelings nor my judgment would permit me in any way to cross your hawse,
if indeed, as I too much fear, you have got before me. There is one
other man in the service besides yourself, and only one, with whom no
consideration would induce me to enter into competition--and that is
Beaufort--but his hands, I presume, are full enough, and I had somehow
imagined yours were too. So much so, that you were one of the first men
I meant to consult on my return to England, and to beg assistance from.
I should not have minded the competition of any one else, but I am not
so vain as to suppose that I could do the thing as well as ei