MENTAL AND CORPOREAL. 263 



ocean, now collect the superfluous moisture of 

 the soil, and by overflowing their banks irrigate 

 it when become arid by previous evaporation, 

 and which on various other accounts are so 

 essential lo the conveniences of civilized man ; 

 would in that case only appear to him so many 

 additional obstacles to his movements, and the 

 sources of personal danger or apprehension, 

 when necessity drove him to their banks, or in the 

 choice of two evils, to venture into their streams. 

 But he was not intended to remain long in this 

 simple state of ignorance. His intuitive faculties 

 and his observation would soon teach him, that 

 the danger might be obviated; and that-as large 

 natural bodies were permitted to float on the 

 surface of the water, some contrivance might be 

 adopted by excavating those substances, (for 

 working implements were of very early invention,) 

 which would enable him to cross these streams, 

 or to throw over them a more ready conveyance, 

 which the surrounding forests would suggest to 

 him as practicable. Hence the origin of boats, 

 from which have emanated those noble vessels, 

 that now so extensively navigate every sea to 

 which human experience has afforded approach; ] 

 and hence have been produced those beautiful 

 edifices in the form of bridges, which open easy 

 communication between parts of the country, 

 many of which without them, would hardly have 

 been rendered accessible. 



