325 
Arr. VIL. On the Advantages of the Curvilinear Form 
introduced by Sir Robert Seppings, in the Construction 
of the Sterns of British Ships of War. By Joun 
Know es, Esq., F.R.S. 
To examine with caution, sil indeed, with prejudice, every 
deviation from that which has been established by custom, 
seems to be a natural operation of the human mind. hence, it 
has been the fate of almost all the important improvements 
which have been introduced in science or in art, to meet with 
opposition from the prejudiced in favour of former practices, as 
well as from those who consider that their private interests are 
likely to be sacrificed by the change. 
With such feelings some persons have viewed a recent im~ 
provement in the practice of naval architecture, that of giving 
to the sterns of our ships of war a curvilinear form, and have, 
consequently, indulged in asperity of criticism, which has, how- 
ever, only tended to shew their ignorance of the system. 
To prove the advantages which arise from) this innovation, 
Sir Robert Seppings has recently printed and privately circu- 
lated a letter addressed to Viscount Melville, which, if pub- 
lished, would leave but little to add to the inquiry; but as this 
is not the case, it is considered that a description of these 
(which have usually been called circular) sterns, and a state- 
ment of the advantages-arising from them, founded chiefly upon 
the facts adduced by Sir Robert, will not be unacceptable to the 
public. 
But before we enter upon this description, it will be necessary 
to give, in order to elucidate the subject, an historical sketch of 
the manner in which the sterns of ships have hitherto been con- 
structed, and we shall commence our inquiry at the reign of 
Henry VIII., a period when the fancies of speculation gave 
way to the delineation of the artist. 
In the 16th century the sterns of the ships of the largest class 
were forrved square, not only above, but for some feet below, 
ihe Mae of water, and were adorned with carved work and ban- 
