THE CHRISTIAN NATURALIST. 171 



* Fair laughs the morn, and soft the Zephyr blows 



While proudly riding o'er the azure realm, 

 In gallant trim the gilded vessel goes ; 



Youth on the prow, and pleasure at the helm: 

 Regardless of the sweeping whirlwind's sway 

 That hush'd in grim repose, expects his evening prey.' 



The sea is, indeed, a treacherous element, and when 

 we contemplate the many dangers to which those who 

 pass over its waves are exposed, we cannot wonder at 

 the observation of Horace. ' Surely oak and threefold 

 brass surrounded his heart, who first trusted a frail 

 vessel to the merciless ocean. In vain has God in his 

 wisdom divided the countries of the earth by the sepa- 

 rating ocean, if nevertheless profane ships bound over 

 waters, which ought not to he violated. The race of 

 man, presumptous enough to dare every thing, rushes 

 on through forbidden wickedness.'* These ideas of the 

 Roman bard may, indeed,, appear somewhat extravagant 

 in the present day, when the art of navagation has become 

 familiar to all nations and contributed so materially to 

 lessen the dangers of the voyager. Nevertheless it is 

 but still too apparent, that no discoveries of science and 

 no nautical experience can avert the perils which will 

 sometimes overtake man on his ocean path, even, per- 



• Book 1. Ode 3. 



