439 



' Few occurrences can be fo truly diflrefF- 

 Ing, or fo ftrongly calculated to deprefs the 

 mind with defponding feelings^ as this critical, 

 and very perilous fitiiation at fea. To prevent 

 the threatened fate, exceffive bodily exertions 

 are required, when, from the impreffion of 

 terror, a fufficient degree of hope fcarcely re- 

 mains to ftimulate or fupport the fatigue^ 

 Extreme toil is demanded — perhaps, too, in 

 an exhaufting, and ungenial climate, and under 

 the depreffing profpefl: of the vefTel finking in 

 defpite of every effort ! 



The Dutch are faid to have a mode of pu- 

 mfhment fomewhat refembling this very dan- 

 gerous and afflidling fituation, although infi- 

 nitelyremoved from it, on account of the perfon 

 who is expofed to it knowing a certain meansof 

 faving himfelf, provided he has enough of in- 

 duftry to continue his tfxertions. The prifoner 

 is confined in a room, into which water is made 

 conftantly to flov^, fo increafing in depth that 

 he muft, inevitably, be drowned if he is idle : 

 but if he will be induftrious and perfevere at 

 the pump, he knows that a certain proportion of 

 labor will keep down the water, and preferve 

 his life. Surely none but the amphibious and 



F F 4 



