CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. S 



^me time an element in which he himself could 

 not subsist ; — for man to attempt to subdue such 

 an animal under such circumstances, seems one of 

 the most hazardous enterprises, of which the inter- 

 course with the irrational world could possibly ad- 

 mit. And yet this animal is successfully attacked, 

 and seldom escapes when once he comes within reach 

 of the darts of his assailer. 



In tracing from a principle of necessity the pro- 

 gress of such a difficult and hazardous undertaking, 

 from its first conception in the mind to its full ac- 

 complishment ; in the existing deficiency of authen- 

 tic records, much must be left to speculation. The 

 following view may at least be considered as plau- 

 sible. 



It seems to be tlic opinion of most writers on the 

 subject of the Whale-Fishery, that the Biscayans 

 were the first wlio exercised their courage in waging 

 a war of deatli with the whales, and succeeded in 

 their capture. This opinion, though, perhaps, not 

 correct, as will hereafter appear, is yet a sufficient 

 foundation for investigating the probable origin of 

 this rem:irkablc employment. These people, like 

 the inhabitants of almost all sea-coasts, were em- 

 ployed, principally, in the occupation of fishing. 

 A species of whale, probably the Balwna rostrata, 

 was a frequent visitor to the sliores of France and 

 Spain. In pursuit of lierrings and other small 

 Hshes, these whales would produce a serious destruc* 



A 2. 



