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rier to ancient navigation. Comparing our own situation and views with those of De Gama and his followers, we are led to appreciate, as it deserves, their persevering boldness, while our admiration is excited by the progress of human invention and improvement, so peculiarly exemplified in the art of navigation.
The stormy seas which wash the southern promontory of Africa, (to which was then given the appropriate name of "Cap de las Tormentos,") are despised by the British seamen, whose vessel flies in security before the tempest, and while she "rides on the billows and defies the storm," he carelessly sings as if unconscious of the warring elements around him. In the revolution of all sublunary
affairs,
