BOOK OP NATURE LAID OPEN. 117 



wants from the abundance of another. And here 

 permit us to observe that the arts of ship building and 

 navigation have, indeed, been of incalculable benefit 

 to mankind. How astonishing, that such an enor- 

 mous and heavy mass as a large ship should be so 

 constructed as to be made to swim in water, with all 

 her crew, stores, and appendages ! Yet such masses 

 are not only made to swim, but are constructed in such 

 a manner as to move at the lightest breeze, and be 

 guided in their course by a very small helm. These 

 considerations alone might excite our surprise, even 

 if the vessel did no more than coast it along, without- 

 losing sight of land ; but, by the sister art of navi- 

 gation, she is carried into the immense depths of the 

 ocean, and made to find her way through pathless 

 tracts, and across a distance of some thousand miles 

 extent ; and this by night and by day, foul weather 

 and fair; as well when the sky is overcast as when 

 it is clear, without the smallest danger of mistaking 

 her port, or missing her desired haven. 



Through this element are imported, at a small 

 expense, the productions and rarities of almost every 

 country ; and while the workmanship of our artisans, 

 and the produce of our manufacturers are widely 

 diffused among the nations, our tables are furnished 

 from the remotest corners of the globe. We are 

 clothed during summer with the fleeces of the south, 

 and are kept warm in the cold season of winter by 

 the furry mantles of the north. The riches of both 

 Indies are wafted to our shores; and our heavy laden, 

 merchantmen find their way to the remotest regions. 



