WATER-CRAFT OF Illi: H.\( KWuuDS. 23y 



Nile to meet Antonj', Beems immeasurably inferior in 

 skill and contrivance. Yet the galley of Cleopatra, with 

 all its gay trappings, and its silken sails glittering in 

 the sun, \vas as far inferior to a " sliip of the line," as 

 the Indian's rude bundle to the barge of Cleopatra. 



Imagination may go back to some early period, when 

 the naked Phoenician sported upon a floating log ; may 

 mark his progress, as the inviting waters of the Mediter- 

 ranean prompted him to more adventurous journeyings, 

 and in time sec him astonishing his little world, by fear- 

 lessly navigating about the bays, and coasting along the 

 whole length of his native home. 



How many ages after this, was it, that the invading 

 fleets of classic Greece, proud fleets, indeed, in which 

 the gods themselves were interested, were pulled ashore, 

 as now the fisherman secures his little skiflf? Admire 

 the proud battle ship, riding upon the waves, forming a 

 safe home for thousands, now touching the clouds with 

 its ^ky-reaching masts, and descending safely into the 

 deep. With what power and majesty does it dash the 

 intruding wave from its prow, and rush on in the very 

 teeth of the winds ! 



Admire it as the wonder of human skill, then go 

 back through the long cycle of years, and see how many 

 centuries have elapsed in thus perfecting it — then ex- 

 amine the most elaborate craft of our savage life, and 

 the antiquity of their youth will be inipres.sed upon 

 you. 



