322 On Naval Architecture, ^c. 



experience must necessarily impart, we may yet hope to see naval 

 architecture raised to its natural rank in the scale of the arts, by 

 the combined exertions of the gentlemen alluded to. Nor will the 

 grateful offerings of an enlightened people be wanting to praise 

 and honour their attempts. A few years of uniform attention to 

 the subject may throw on many of its elements the beams of a 

 steady and cheering light; and in the end, the cultivators of this 

 noble art will have the gratification of finding it no longer the sport 

 of accident and chance, but guided by principles and rules, true 

 and unexceptionable in their nature, and unfailing in their applica- 

 tion ; the light of a pure geometry guiding their steps in all their 

 investigations, and crowning their labours from time to time, with 

 new proofs of the beneficial effects which science is capable of 

 conferring on every art to which its powers may be judiciously 

 applied. 



It may be proper in conclusion to state, that the writer of this 

 article, is totally unconnected with the school of naval architecture, 

 and with our naval arsenals; and he only now ventures his opinions 

 on this most important subject, from having had many opportuni- 

 ties of witnessing the admirable union of scientific skill and 

 practical experience possessed by many of the students sent forth 

 by the enlighted Professor at Portsmouth ; nor can he refrain from 

 expressing his firm conviction, that the most important conse- 

 quences to naval architecture may be anticipated, from the zeal and 

 intelligence which animates them. It is, indeed, a matter for grave 

 consideration, how far the employment of these valuable young men, 

 as the masters of joiners and other inferior occupations, is likely to 

 fulfil the important objects for which the institution was designed. 

 Naval architecture is a subject which requires the •' undivided 

 rnaii;^' and we can only hope to see it advance with any tolerable 

 certainty towards perfection, by giving to those who have been 

 scientifically educated in its different branches, every opportunity 

 for improvement which our Dock -Yards can afford. 



November 27th, 1824. Alpha. 



