HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

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only ; for they extend even to such parts of the continent of America, as, till with-in a very few years, continued equally unknown and unexplored by distant naviga-tors. Naturally endued with the same propensities as the Europeans them-selves, so far as their means would permit the indulgence of them, they, at thepresent moment, engage in war, and they conclude peace, if the fugitive obser-vations of Schouten, and other early voyagers, will justify the supposition, invessels almost precisely the same as to structure with those in which they bravedthe dangers of the ocean, and of hostility, two centuries since. The distinctionsof single and double canoes, and the more general use of one, in preference tothe other, seems the only point in which the smallest difference of opinionprevails. In the construction of the latter, whether it he the native of NewZealand or ofOtaheite, the ideas are strictly the same; and the analization ofthe vessel proves it very immaterially differing in the principles of construction,with regard to the hull, from the India or flying proa, two of which beingjoined together by the platform, contrived for the accommodation of the comba-tants, might pass without detection, even if submitted to a curious observer,for the native of either of those countries. The knowledge acquired by theseunlettered people is founded on the most substantial and incontrovertible ground,experience; and that experience has unceasingly conducted them, however sepa-rated by Providence, to the acquisition of the same points. The addition of thesecond canoe perfectly answers the same purpose with the outrigger of the La-drone Islands; and the very contracted breadth of both produces an equal advan-tage of giving a swift or easy passage through the water in each instance alike.The only points of distinction appear to be solely caused by the varied habits ofthe voyagers, and different purposes to which the vessels are applied. The navi-gator of the Ladrones, held in subjection, and confessing allegiance to theSpaniard, who has enslaved him, needs not that superior and enlarged species ofembarkation, which is indispensably necessary to the purposes of war. Contentedwith the humble occupation of fishing, or the very trivial advantages of a mostcontracted commerce, he attends only to the safety of himself and his cargo;together with that expedition the utmost stretch of his invention or contrivancewill enable him to effect in conveyance of himself, with his humble articles oftrade, wherever he may wish to direct his voyage. He has, unknowingly, how-ever, followed the conduct of the inhabitants of every neighbouring country;has displayed the same genius, when acting under the same ideas, and direct-ing his mind solely to the accomplishment of points totally different fromthe purposes of war. His sail, as well in size as in form, the exact similitude

between