THE SHIP. 167

of the masts. All these must be understood by a per-
fect master of ship-building.

Ch. But I think I know ship-builders who have
aever had an education to fit them for understanding
these things.

fia. Very likely ; but they have followed by rote the
rules laid down by cthers; and as they work merely
by imitation, they cannot alter or improve as occasion
may require. Then, though common merchant ships
are intrusted to such builders, yet in constructing men-
ol-war and Indiamen, persons of science are always
employed. The French, however, attend to this mat-
ter more than we do, and, in consequence, their ships
generally sail better than ours.

Ch. But need a captain of a ship know all these
things ?

fa. It may not be absolutely necessary; yet occa-
sions may frequently arise in which it would be of
great advantage for him to be able to judge and give
directions in these matters. But suppose the ship
built—what comes next ?P

Ch. I think she must be rigged.

fa, Well—who are employed for this purpose P

Ch. Mast-makers, rope-makers, sail-makers, and I
know not how many other people.

Ha. These are all mechanical trades ; and though in
carrying them on much ingenuity has been applied, in
the invention of machines and tools, yet we will not
stop to consider them. Suppose her, then, rigged-—
What next ?

Ch, She must take in her guns and powder.

Ha, Svop there, and reflect how many arts you have ©
now set to work. Gunpowder is one of the greatest
inventions of modern times, and that which has given
such a superiority to civilized nations over the bar-
barous. An English frigate, surrounded by the canoes
of all the savages in the world, would easily beat them
off by means of her guns; and if Cesar were to come
again to England with his fleet, a battery of cannon