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HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

I

world. Even the embers of its power appeared as though totally extinguished;but the genius of Charles, aided by his intrepidity and general ability, both asa warrior and a statesman, attempted to revive its fallen consequence under thesame title, though the spot from whence it was derived, became far removed.Notwithstanding the dominion or rule of this great man extended over a veryconsiderable part of Europe, yet neither necessity nor inclination appeared tohave raised in him the smallest ambition of becoming a naval, as he had alreadyrendered himself a military potentate. The cause is too obvious to requirethe necessity of explanation, and turns exactly on the same point as that, whichin the instance of Rome, produced an almost total neglect of maritime pursuits,far as they were connected with the measures of the government, or state.Nature, or rather Providence, which had permitted his conquests, had put himin possession of local advantages sufficient to have allowed the establishmentof a navy, which, in respect to force, might have subjugated the universe.But though national equity or justice may probably not hold forth chains suffi-ciently strong to fetter the mind, or the ambition of a conqueror, wisdom fre-quently does : so did it prove, in respect to the emperor Charles. His armyhad reduced under his subjection a territory which he knew, was quite asextensive as the human mind was capable of attending to the interests, andprotection of, circumstances, than which there were none so likely to enforcethe implicit obedience, and ensure the quiet submission of his people. Tohave equipped fleets for the gaudy but insignificant purpose of conquering dis-tant countries, over which but a merely nominal dominion could be maintained,would have been derogatory not only to the character of a great prince, but ofa man possessed of common sagacity. None of those districts or states, onwhom his territories bordered, appeared willing to disturb the quiet of hisreign by this new mode of attack, nor perhaps were they capable of doing it,had they been so disposed, owing to their inferiority in respect to power.

The Venetians, whose state was then almost in its infancy, appeared, at thattime, as the only people who even in after ages might be capable of excitingthe alarm, or drawing upon them the naval vengeance of the newly erected ■*empire. The origin of this state is too singular an instance of what humanassiduity and perseverance is capable of effecting, to be passed over in dis-graceful silence. Driven by the furious conduct of the Huns from the landsthey had inherited from their forefathers; the preservation of what was calledtheir independence, though it were perhaps nearer the truth to say, their

lives,.