33 °

HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

between the head and stern of his vessel, together with the singular dif*ference in that of the sides, are all calculated for the attainment of one purpose;and certainly have experimentally been as extensively productive of his wishes, ashe could in any way expect. If the scientific European will condescend to con-template the rude contrivances of this untutored islander, as he will in all proba-bility term them, he will, in fpite of his own arrogance, perhaps, be compelledto confess, that the most elaborately given form, regulated by long study andthe strictest philosophical attention, could not have proved more productive ofsuccess. While the breadth of the sail below enables it to hold a larger portionof wind than it would be safe to encounter, did it bear any other form thanthat which it precisely does, or were the canoe even destitute of the outrigger, thecontraction of it aloft proves no small preventative from accident; whilethe simplicity promises the most possible expeditious mode of reducing it, andtotally obviating any of those misfortunes to which vessels rigged in a more com-plex manner are not unfrequently liable. In short, artless ingenuity pervadesthe whole, and the natural force of the human mind rises, in this instance,splendidly triumphant above science and philosophy.

Custom originating in that love of ostentation, which appears indelibly im-planted in the human race, has caused, from time immemorial, throughout th&whole world, a display of what is called pomp, in all measures connected inthe remotest degree with war. The dress of the most rude and barbarous soldier,has always been contrived with attention to this point; and he has ever been deco-rated with such coarse embellishments, as his country, and his own peculiar modeof thinking, deemed contributive to grandeur. The same principle has, withoutexception, prevailed in regard to vessels built for the purposes of war. The .carvingof the Zealander and of the Briton, are suggested by the same ideas or prejudices-The terrific appearance given to the head by both nations, if it be lawful to makethe comparison without offence, may be traced back as early as the foundationof the Athenian navy, and indeed to a much more remote period. Europe displays,its ensigns, and New Zealand its feathers ; the sterns equally decorated with theprows, according to the different fashions and customs of the different countries,prove the wonderful alliance and association of human ideas that exists over theface of the whole globe.

The grand similitude which the vessels belonging to the different islands spreadover the face of the South Seas bear to each other, is not more striking than thatwhich appears to exist between them and thegallies of the ancients. Far as im-perfect relation can warrant modern conception in making out the portraits,

the