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HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

infancy of Roman consequence as a maritime power, a number of armedmen, conveyed them instantly on board the galley of the enemy, whenever itwas deemed expedient and prudent to attempt its conquest by boarding. Thecode of signals, by which in modern times the intention of the admiral is asexplicitly made known through a whole fleet as though he gave his orders inperson, was then extreme incorrect; and though the nautical manoeuvres werevery simple, and few in number, yet the method of directing them was con-fused, and extremely Inadequate to the purpose. Still, however, the principlewas the same w'ith that used by the moderns, a self evident proof, that thewant of practice, on the part of the ancients, was the sole cause of the imper-fection alluded to. The colour and varied position of the flags hoisted onboard the admiral, or commanding galley, indicated the course the fleet wasto steer, or in action, the measures w'hich it was to pursue, during the day ;while the different disposition, or number of lights, on board the same vesselin the night, became equally expressive of the commander’s intention. Still,however, the practice w ; as confined to the general and common manoeuvres ofbringing to, chacing, attacking, retreating, dispersing, or rallying ; and when-ever finer movements were necessary, the skill of the officer became useless,owing to the want of power in the indication of his intention.

IS'or were the ancients destitute of a practice bearing some analogy to themodern mode of conveying intelligence rapidly over land to any distance, pro-vided proper measures had been previously taken for that purpose. Beaconsor light-houses being erected in proper positions, the established signals wererepeated from mountain to mountain, through a chain of stations, which aresaid to have commanded an extent of more than five hundred miles ; so thateven the inhabitants of Constantinople were capable of being informed, withinthe short space of a few hours, of any motions that might be attempted bytheir Saracen enemies in Tarsus. Historians have proposed, as a specimenof the naval power which the Grecian, or eastern empire possessed, a curiousaccount, given with minute precision, of the armament prepared for the re-duction of Crete. It consisted of one hundred and twelve gallies, w ith seventy-five vessels of inferior note; but though the amount of numbers which com-posed the maritime force of ancient nations, might be deemed a very insufficientproof of the actual strength and power which they possessed, that of theircrews, when it can be obtained, may be considered as much more interesting,and in great measure as correct testimony of the fact. The equipment of the

armament