Chap. VII. ] Ncn:igan'o?i. ^3 



In estimating the revolutions which took place 

 in naval architecture in the course of the last acre, 

 perhaps few are more signal than the great in- 

 crease in the .dimensions of ships of the same rate. 

 Sliips of war, in particular, arc now generally a 

 fourth, and, in many cases, a third hirger than ves- 

 sels of the same number of guns were at the be- 

 ginning of the late century*. In this augmenta- 

 tion the naval architects of France took the lead, 

 and have g^one the crreatest lencrths : the Britisii 

 followed their example, and have carried every 

 thing which relates to tlie construction and ma- 

 nagement of ships to a great degree of perfec- 

 tion. 



While modern ships are larger than the ancient, 

 they are at the same time more light and simple in 

 their structure. The cumbrous and useless orna- 

 ments, which the false and unphilosophical taste of 

 preceding ages employed, have been laid aside ^ 

 and, in general, those principles of architecture 

 adopted, which combine the advantage of easy ma- 

 nagement with the greatest burden. 



The Mariner s Compass, though it has been in 

 use for several centuries, was attended with great 

 imperfections and inconveniencies until a fev/ 

 years ago, Vvhen \^\\ Gav/in Knight, of Great Bri- 

 tain, in consequence of his invention of Artificial 

 Magnets, was enabled considerably to improve 

 this inestimable instrument. The compasses made 

 by him were found to exceed, in regularity aud 

 exactness, all those which had been constructed 

 before his time. After him further improvemei.it:? 



* See AdJdlonal Notes. (G. G). 

 Q2 



