HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

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seemed to disregard, at least, those of Britain, every measure, but that of almostpersonal contention with their foe. On this principle, the marine architects ofFrance first bent their attention to the formation of such vessels as should,though in the most tempestuous weather, be less agitated by the sea than thoseof their opponents, and should be able, in defiance of any swell which wouldtotally prevent such a measure in ships of inferior dimensions, to direct theirshot, even from the lower tier of guns, in annoyance of the enemy. To this esta-blished system are to be attributed the superior dimensions and bulk which theFrench vessels for several years maintained over those of other countries. Thesame conduct on the part of Spain was, perhaps, attributable to a very differentcause, that of an extravagant pride, which aimed at the establishment of a supe-riority, which, it was vainly hoped, might intimidate the very fight, and preventthe necessity of those exertions, and that knowledge, which, when necessary tobe called into action, would have shrunk inferior to the task of contest.

However different might be the first causes and impulses, they proved pro-ductive of nearly the same effect; the ships of France and Spain, in their seve-ral rates, far exceeded, as already observed, those of every country in Europe, andthe marine architects, especially of France, were bold enough to suppose, theirships, carrying 80 guns, two-deckers, but of dimensions very little, if in anvdegree, inferior to a British first rate, were capable of contending, under thecircumstances before related, with a ship of that class. Notwithstanding cer-tain stubborn facts proved the futility and vanity of this idea, there existed, inreality, certain peculiar excellencies, which reason admitted the propriety of,and were, therefore, not to be controverted, or even disputed. The exampleconsequently spread, though slowly, and it is a bare act of justice to the fameof the French ship-builders, that to their studious exertions and experiments isprimarily owing the energetical improvement made in modern times on the form,dimensions, and general contour of vessels, be the purpose to which it was in-tended they should be applied, whatever it might.

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