On Friday, January 30th Admiral Long read a paper at the United Service Institution on the "Influence of Quick-Fire Guns on Naval Tactics and on Construction." A comparison was between a ship three ordinary guns and three quick-fire guns, and it was pointed out that not only did the latter guns discharge six times as many rounds as the former, but they had a much better opportunity of striking the enemy, because she moved comparatively little following each successive round. About twelve shots a minute was considered the highest practical speed, although some guns fired up to fifteen rounds per minute. With cordite or other smokeless powder, the lecturer suggested that a torpedo boat attempting to get through the zone of fire by daylight was engaged in a forlorn hope.