so Mr Harvey's Obsei'^cathns cm Sh' R. Sepping^ Plan- 
go beyond the borders of the present century, to meet with many, 
very many, proofs of the baneful influence of those active and 
unfortunate prejudices. The Safety-Lamp, the most inestimable 
ot the discoveries of the illustrious Davy, was destined, on its first 
introduction, to meet with an opposition of this kind ; but lime, 
which always renders more conspicuous the triumphs of genius, 
has placed it on the firmest and best foundation, and shown that 
it is rich in blessings to mankind.” That consequences equal- 
ly satisfactory must ultimately result from the plan of the Cir- 
cular Sterns, there can be but little doubt. The opposition 
which it has met with, has only served to quicken inquiry ; 
and now that its ingenious inventor has brought the subject be- 
fore the public % in a shape which will enable every one inte- 
rested in the inquiry to examine it for himself, the merits of the 
question must be fairly and impartially considered ; and those 
objections which imperfect practical information may have urged, 
or that opposition which seems to have owed its origin to cer- 
tain preconceived notions of beauty of external form, will un- 
questionably vanish before the conclusions drawn from a sound 
and enlarged experience. 
Circular sterns, when contrasted with those of a square form, 
may be contemplated under two points of view. In the first 
place. We may inquire into the strength peculiar to each form, 
considered as a system of mechanical forces ; and, secondly.. The 
means which each affords for carrying into effect those objects 
for which a ship of war was primarily constructed, namely, at- 
tack and defence. 
In the mechanical construction of a ship, every part of its 
structure ought to possess a proper degree of strength, no one 
part possessing, if such an expression may be made use of, more 
strength than is absolutely necessary, nor any part less strength 
than the nature and office of that particular part is destined to 
maintain. And it is in the due adjustment of the several parts 
which constitute the frame of a ship, considered as a system of 
mechanical forces, that the science and judgment of the naval 
architect find so wide a field for the exercise of his powers. 
* Sir Robert Seppings has lately published a Letter' on the subject of Circular 
^ternsj addressed to Lord Melville, 
