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22 TRAVELS
apparently destined to cut off all communication between coun-
tries, through the exertion and ingenuity of man, is converted into
a vast and unbounded medium of their intercourse. I do not re-
colle& any thing that exhibits so sensible and striking a trinmph
of art over nature, except perhaps the ascent of the balloon into
the atmosphere : though this indeed 1s to be ranked among dis-
coverics rather than mventions; and has not by any means given
birth to such a variety of ingenious contrivances as have been dif-
played in the application of the polarity of the magnet, and of lu-
nar observations; in the extension of canals by the perforation of
hills; in the erection of bridges, waterlocks, and fsluices; and 1n
the construftion, equipage, and navigation of ships.
The first 1deas, or the first elements as 1t were, of navigation,
are presented to man in his primitive, rude, and fimple state.
Without entering into the question, whether man is or was ori- _
ginally an amphibious animal, as has been maintained by one or
two whimfical writers, we find that the uncivilized tribes are the
most expert swimmers and divers. They live much in the water
and on the water in quest of fishes, in rivers, lakes, and inlets of
the sea. A tree or log, torn from the margin of fome wood by
the violence of a torrent or a storm, and ssfloatillg near them -on
the surtace of the water, presents itself as a kind of resting place,
where the exertions of the limbs and arms way be suspended. If
trees or beams can bear up a man in the water, 1t occurs at ’once
that they will also bear up other things. They are immediately
used for this purpose. The first boats accordinely, as we find
from
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