DR. DARWIN, 267 



explained that fable as an hieroglyphic 

 allufion, to fignify " the combination, or 

 " marriage of etherial fpirit with earthly 

 " materials." 



A whimfical pofiibility is next fuppofed ; 

 that Dr. Prieftley's difcoveries will here- 

 after enable adventurers to travel beneath 

 the ocean in large inverted fhips and div- 

 ing balloons. A note to this paffage afferts, 

 that the experiment was fuccefsfully made 

 'by a Frenchman in the reign of James the 

 Firft, and it ftates the particulars. A fplen- 

 did fub-marine voyage next occurs. It 

 is to the warm tropic feas and lhadowy 

 ice-ifles of the polar regions, and to be 

 performed by Britannia. Her tears are to 

 flow as Ihe pafles over the fad and vifible 

 remains of fliip-wrecked lovers, mercantile 

 and fcientific adventurers, particularly thofe 

 of Day and Spalding, who each perilhed in 

 their diving-bells. Here the deplored fate 



of 



