N the 10th number of this Journal, we remarked on a boat accident, attended with loss of life, which had then recently occurred, through a person climbing the mast of a small boat, and we strongly urged the rash- ness and danger of such a proceeding.

Knowing, as we then stated, that many fatal accidents occurred from that cause, we thought the subject deserving of especial notice.

It is with much regret that we have now again to relate, as a warning, two similar accidents entailing the melancholy loss of six valuable lives,- lives, at the present moment, of especial value to their country, three of the unfortunate deceased being Serjeants in the Royal Artillery; the others, a corporal and two privates of the Guards.

It appears, in the case of the first-named accident, that on the 5th of August last seven persons, including the three Serjeants went in an open boat from Portsmouth to Spithead, for a sail. As related by one of the survivors, light winds drove them between Bembridge and the fleet, when "one of the party ascended the mast, and capsized the boat." The three Serjeants, named PEARSON, EDEY, and WAINFORD, were drowned; the four survivors were several hours in the water before rescued, and were then in an exhausted state.

In the case of the second accident, a party of the Brigade of Guards, consisting of an officer, Captain J. B. COULSOJS, a corporal, and six'privates, were sailing in an open boat in. Kingstown Bay, Dublin, the wind being light and the sea smooth at the time, when one of the party ascended the mast to reeve the jib halliards, and instantly upset the boat. Fortunately, a steam-tug, The Isle of Bute, was passing, with a ship in tow at the time, or probably every person in the boat would have perished. As it was, three were drowned, the remainder being saved by the master and crew of the steamer, and by the crew of a boat which was alongside the ship she had in tow at the time the accident occurred.

We take the opportunity to once more warn all those who are comparatively inex- perienced in the manangement of boats, that no more certain expedient can be adopted to upset one than for a person to climb to its masthead. As the small weight of an ordi- nary steelyard will, when carried to the end of the beam, counterbalance so much greater a weight on the other side of its axis, so the weight of one person raised so high above the centre of gravity as a boat's masthead, is sufficient to counterbalance the whole weight of that part of the boat herself, and of those within her which is below that centre, thus making her " top-heavy," and ensuring her upsetting, unless her largeness of size, or quantity of ballast be sufficient to counteract the weight at her masthead.

Again we repeat the recommendation contained in our former remarks:—•" That, excepting in boats of large size, no one showid ever be allowed to ascend the mast; and that the general habit should be ac- quired of sitting down rather than standing up in a boat, except when the latter position is absolutely necessary.".