From the Delaware State Journal. OF 4 THIRTY-TW0

 pOIJND SHOT.
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firing q salute ia honor ef tha French Kings birth day. some shot from the United States irigate United States, struck the French Admiral's ship, and killed one or two mon made some noise at the tme-but is now scarcely remembered-ex except as one of those accidents which often occur in naval experience, and which the strictest diseip- line and the most cautious vigilance may not always prevent. The first lieutenant is always considered responsible for the dsei- ptine of the ship; but much of that respon- slbllity must he, if we may so express it, merely technical; there are many minute details, in reference 10 which the most vigl- lant and competent officer must rely upon snbefdinates, who may not always be tfust- worthy; and Q slight neglect in theee details may derange, for the moment, the best con ceived plan, and produce events as serious as that which occurred at Tonlon. Il was the loss of t5te, and not the infrequeney of the enormty of the accident at Iouon, that gave 1t an air of national importance; for such things have occurred more than once before, as well in our service as in the na- val service of other countries, without exci- ting remark beyond the spot where ii hap- pened. These remarks lead me to relate an anecdete communicated by naval eff cer, detailing an incident which belongs to this class of naval casualties; and which might have had as tragicaI termination as that at Touun, but terminating differently, may now serve to excite smile or amuse passing hour.

 The scene Is laid in the harbor of smyr- na. The United States soop of war Onta- rio, returning from cruize in the Afchipe- lago, put into Smyrna, in the month of E7e- bruary, 1881, on the eve of Washngtons birth day. The Ontario dropped anchor in the spacious harbor, outside ofthe immense fleet of shipping which is always to be found in that great Eastern mart. h the distance was to be seen the city, it's port enliyened by merchant vessels of almost every nation, and between them and the Ontario, q num- Der of British, French and Dutch ships of war;

 On the morning of the 22d, the gallant sloop was dressed out with flags flying from every mast bead, in honor of the father of his country; and Captain s. went ashore to transact business with the American Con- sul, Mir. Offley, leaving orders for the GUS tomary observance of the day. The first lieutenant accordingly directed that prepa- rations should be made for the biuh day sa- lute, by drawing the shot from the guns. In executing this service, the routine is to draw the shot and lay it along side of the gun; so that the officer, in passing along to see that the duty has been performed, ob- serving the shot, IS satisfied of the fact On this occasion it happened that the cabin guns were first drawn, and to avoid fum bering the cabin, were directed to be car ried away. One of these shot, it seems, from carelessness or hurrys was laid along side of one of the guns in the waist. before that gun had been drawn; and to this slight circumstance were owing the mischances of the day.

 While the salute was firing, the attention of the first leutenant wis attracted by the report of one of the guns, and he immedi- ately called out

 'Gdnner-that gun had shot in ii.''

 "No, Slr,'' the gunner replied, "there is the shot alongside of the gun"

 "No natter fer that,'' said the lieutenant, ssl an sailsied from its sound that the gun was shatteda

 I q de pot tHlBk 50, Sir, said the gunner, ''bdt at any raie ihe guns are so depressed that the shot could do DO hafmp The guns had been depressed to prevent damage to the ueighbofing shipping from the wadding.

 The salute was fired. and the first lieute- nant had gone below, leaving the second lieutenant in charge of the deck. While this officer was pacing the deck, uncon- scious of impending evil, he observed a boat putting of from a Dutch gun bng, their nearest neighbor, and steering for the Ontario She was soon alongside, and Dutch lieutenant stepped upon the deck, with strong symptoms of consternaton IF his countenance.

 "Mein Got, Slr," was his first salutaton, You fired shot into US just now, which carried away our main Peanl, and almost kiH man"

 The American officer expressed his deep regret at the accident, and requested the Dutch officer 10 be seated while he commu- nicated the circumstance to the first lleute- nant. Stepping to the companion he call ed down in an under tone to the first lieute- nant-

 .IHH--, do you know, we've shot a DutchInan this morningl"

 sShot a Dutchman-impossible!" cried the lieutenant.

 dts fact-here's an officer from the Dutch gun brig on board of. us, and he tells 1<.f b,, f.fstr Hal