While these improvements of a civil nature were going on in and about the city, the arsenals exhibited a very active scene. They were then forming a dry dock, and so deficient were they in tools, that the materials excavated were passed up and thrown out by hand; the number of the workmen, however, making amends for the want of instruments. They expected to complete it in two years, when they would immediately commence two others; the stone for them has all to be brought from Cairo. There were five building ways complete, and two in progress; on the stocks were three ships of 100 guns each, ready for planking; and the day after our arrival the keel of a sixty gun frigate was laid with religious ceremonies; the Pasha himself, and his officers of state, attending on the occasion. The timber is brought from Syria, where they procure both oak and pine in the greatest quantities, and of an excellent quality. Their ships are even more wall-sided than our own; but in all other respects they follow the French style of building; and according to a fashion now beginning to prevail in the navy of that country, keep all the decks for cannons clear of staterooms and other encumbrances; the whole battery being quite clear, fore and aft, and at all times ready for action. The officers’ rooms are all placed on the orlop, which is well supplied with air-ports. Their largest ship carried 138 guns, and was constructed to meet one belonging to the Sultan, and carrying 144. Owing to a difficulty in getting her out of the harbor, they were, at the time of our visit, reducing her to one deck less. The harbor of Alexandria is spacious and of sufficient depth, but the entrance is winding and difficult, and the channel is obstructed with knowls of rock, over which there is but four fathoms’ water. The Pasha had sent to England for steam machinery for breaking down these rocks, and as they are of sand-stone, he will probably succeed. In the arsenal are rope-walks, two stories in height, and large ranges of store-houses well supplied. The whole establishment exhibited a neatness, and order, and efficiency, that greatly pleased our officers. The seamen receive, first class $2, and the second class 1.50 per month, together with clothing and a ration. The officers are well paid, and on receiving their commission, receive with it an anchor, together with one, two, or three stars, made of diamonds, the number being according to their rank; these, worn on the breast, constitute their only distinctive uniform. The admiral, rear-admiral, and all officers of a lower grade, are natives; the vice-admiral is a Frenchman, and so also is the chief naval constructor.