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HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

first object which thus engaged the public mind being gratified, the people, as withone accord, appeared totally indifferent to the enjoyment of any greater pleasure.

The northern powers of Russia, Sweden, and Denmark, though, perhaps,not so peculiarly addicted to the same pursuits as the inhabitants of the UnitedProvinces were, pursued the same inoffensive conduct, and profited in proportionto the share they separately held in the neutral partnership. Far removed fromthe busy scene of war, they appeared perfectly careless as to the event of it. Theywere equally and indiscriminately employed, as occasion offered, by all parties;so that their commerce continuing completely uninvaded, they derived every ad-vantage they could have expected to result from it, without experiencing the in-convenience, or incurring the expence of its protection.

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