vi TUANSLATOKS PBEFACE. 



even in a strictly scientific elucidation, of which 

 many other investigations admit; and yet, as 

 Franklin observed in his time, vvhat persevering 

 efforts have been made to master the secrets of the 

 abyss, and vvhat dangers have been encountered in 

 the struggle of man with its gigantic forces! 

 Michelet commences his well-known book on the 

 subject by remarking that the first impression which 

 man receives from the Ocean is one of dread ; but 

 if this observation be just, that dread of the vast 

 and unknown has in all ages been converted into a 

 source of inspiration, imtil men of genius have 

 achieved their greatest triumphs where they feared 

 the most. Some of these achievements are remarked 

 upon in the following pages. But the complete 

 record of similar conqu( sts would fill a volume, for 

 it is always on the shores of the sea, and by means 

 of the sea, that men have established their communi- 

 ties, and spread their civilisation over the earth. The 

 sea, not dreaded but loved, and used as a mighty 

 agency, is truly the '* Vita Nuova of Nations." 



While touching slightly on this topic, and a\ oiding 

 the dryness of scientific details, this book will be 

 found to give a general idea of the configuration of 

 the sea-bottom, of the action of the sea upon its 

 shores, and of some of the more impressive wonders 

 of the deep. The reader, hitherto uninitiated intc 



