Page:A voyage round the world, in His Britannic Majesty's sloop, Resolution, commanded by Capt. James Cook, during the years 1772, 3, 4, and 5 (IA b30413849 0001).pdf/36

1772. July.

tion was an unnatural one; an idea that seems to have occurred to Horace, when he says,

 

Necquicquam Deus abscidit

Prudens oceano dissociabili
Terras; si tamen impiæ

Non tangenda rates transiliunt vada.

Hor.

 

In vain did Nature's wise command

Divide the waters from the land,
If daring ships and men profane,

Invade th' inviolable main.

Dryden.

 

Wednesday 22.On the 22d, we saw the lighthouse near Corunna, or, as our sailors absurdly call it, the Groyn. It was perfectly calm, the water smooth as a mirror, and the hilly prospect very agreeably varied by corn-fields, inclosures, small hamlets, and gentlemen's seats, every thing conspiring to banish the remains of the sea-sickness entirely from amongst us, and to bring back that chearfulness which could not well keep company with empty stomachs and a tempestuous sea. In the evening we were near a small tartan, which we took to be a fishing vessel from the Spanish coast; and in that persuasion, a boat was hoisted out and sent towards her, in order, if possible, to purchase some fresh fish. In going thither we observed the whole surface of the sea every where covered with myriads of little crabs, not above an inch in diameter, which we

found