ii2 POPULAR LECTURES AND ADDRESSES. 



or foggy. At last the fatal time comes, he has 

 trusted to his dead reckoning once too often, he 

 has made a "centre," not a "bull's-eye," and his 

 ship is on the rocks. 



IV. DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS. 



61. What then, on approaching land in cloudy 

 weather, does the navigator do who is not only 

 careful but prudent, not only bold and able but 

 also intelligent and well taught, not only devoted 

 to the interests of his employers but devoted with 

 a knowledge which they can scarcely be expected 

 to appreciate ? He simply feels his way by the 

 lead, from the time he comes within soundings, 

 till he makes the land and makes sure by light- 

 house and landmark of where he really is. 



Neither annoyance to the ship's company 

 through the extra labour which it entails, nor 

 consideration of the detention which it may 

 require, prevents him from using the deep sea 

 lead at least once an hour, unless he has satis- 

 factory grounds for confidence in proceeding with 



