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HISTORY OP THE SEA. 



Fourth. Crusading was the amusement and occupation of two 

 centuries. Two millions of Europeans perished in the cause 

 before it was abandoned. A few words concerning its effect 

 upon the civilization of Europe are necessary here, in direct 

 pursuance of our subject. 



During their stay in Palestine the Crusaders learned, and in 

 a measure acquired, the habits of Eastern life. They brought 

 back with them a taste for the peculiar products of that region, 

 - — jewels, silks, cutlery, perfumes, spices. A brisk commerce 

 through the length and breadth of the Mediterranean was the 

 speedy consequence. Genoa, Pisa, Florence, Venice, covered 

 the waters of their inland sea with sails, trafficking from the 

 ports of Italy to those of Syria and Egypt. In every maritime 

 city conquered by the Crusaders, trading-stations and bazaars 

 were established. Marseilles obtained from the kings of Jeru- 

 salem privileges and monopolies of trade upon their territory. 

 Venice surpassed all her rivals in the splendor and extent of 

 her commerce, and it was for this that the Pope, Alexander 

 III., sent the Doge the famous nuptial ring with which, in 

 assertion of his naval supremacy, "to wed the Adriatic." The 

 ceremony was performed from the deck of the Bucentaur, or 

 state-galley, with every possible accompaniment of pomp and 

 parade. The vessel was crowned with flowers like a bride, and 

 amid the harmonies of music and the acclamations of the spec- 

 tators the ring was dropped into the sea. The Republic and 

 the Adriatic, long betrothed, were now indissolubly wedded. 

 This ceremony was repeated from year to year. 



The Normans, the Danes, the Dutch, imitated the example 

 of the Italians, or, as they were then called, the Lombards, but 

 were rather occupied in conveying provisions to the armies than 

 in trading for their own account. 



It was during the Crusades that the French navy was created. 

 Philip Augustus, who, on his way to Syria, and thence home 

 again, could not have remained insensible to the advantages of 



