44^ 



tolling Hollanders could have invented fuch a 

 punifliment — fuch an aquatic remedy ! although 

 it muft be allowed to be a moft excellent one a- 

 gainfl: idlenefs. But in a leaky fhip at fea no fuch 

 certainty is attainable. The leak may increafe* 

 and no human effort may be fufficient to keep 

 the veiTel upon the furface^ and, in fuch cafe, all 

 refource is denied, — the impending doom can, 

 no way, be averted ! No mental powers, no 

 bodily exertion can ought avail. Safety is not 

 to be attained by any effort of human flrength, 

 or human wifdom. No opening is left for intel- 

 ledorenterprize. Each road leads equallyto de- 

 fpair ; and the event can neither be avoided nor 

 refiiled. On each hand the wretched fufferers 

 fee only the wide jaw of deflrudion. The 

 leak ftill increafing, the water continues to gain 

 upon all the means employed. It grows deep- 

 er : the finking fhip moves heavily on : her 

 weight oppofes all the force of wind and fails : 

 fhe labours to proceed : her progrefs is more 

 and more impeded : the flow motion ceafes 

 at intervals : a dread paufe fucceeds : the fhip 

 no longer moves ! A momentary filence, — a 

 death-like ftillnefs prevails throughout the 

 crew 5 or impulfive liorror ejaculates in loud 



