The ocean, mv clour Sir, you well know is that im- 

 mense collection of waters which covers the lower 

 parts of the surface of this globe. Wlien viewed from, 

 the land, it presents a grand and sublime spectacle to 

 the eye of the observer. It is in some parts of a 

 great "depth ; it is even said, that there are places 

 where it is more than a mile deep; but these are few 

 and the most general profundities are from sixty to 

 an hundred and fifty fathoms. The surface of the 

 ocean is considerablv more extensive than that of the 

 land ; but the exact proportion is not known. A su- 

 perficial caviller might here make this, objection 

 against the harmony of things : " Why this profu- 

 sion of water \ why this vast extension of its surface ? 

 if so great a quantity of water were necessary, might 

 it not be confined within a deeper gulph, and so 

 cover a less considerable part of the globe ?" To 

 this problem philosophy would give a ready answer. 

 You are already informed, that the waters, evapora- 

 ted from the sea, and carried over every part of the 

 land by the winds, are essential to the support. of 

 vegetation, and regulated by profundity, but by ex- 

 tent of surface ; consequently, if the waters of the 

 ocean were less diffused, the evaporation would be 

 much less copious, and therefore inadequate to the 

 supply which' the earth demands. Here, then, is 

 another proof of the wisdom of the Creator. 



In regard to the purposes of commerce, and the 

 means of communication between distant nations, the 

 waters could scarcely be more judiciously disposed. 

 Seas intersect large continents, and multiplying their 

 maritime ports, give a great extent of coast to diffe- 

 rent countries, while the various rivers open a passage 

 into their interior provinces. If we cast our eyes on 

 a map of the world, and contemplate the excellent 

 disposition of land and water, we shall find ourselves 

 obliged to confess, that it is scarcely possible to con- 

 ceive a more judicious and beneficial, or a more beau-* 

 tiful arid picturesque arrangement. 



The ocean, although it contains innumerable Spe- 

 cies and forms of animal life, yet being one continued 

 c 4 " 



