Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-02-24
nEDM0 e1sB0 strictly IN - vance
lEhMS, S2,OO at the ysar's snd'
History Of Ocean Navigation.

Lieutenant Maury, in late lecture, said that,
In the early navigation of the Atlantic ocean.
the mariner had no guide to shape his course,
but, like the traveller over the untrodden terri
tory Of a new country, he was led by circum-
stances. Columbus, in his voyage Of discovery,
sailed towards the coast of Africa, then changed
to due west course towards the Bahama Is
lands. If he had sailed at any other season he
would have encountered storms and rough
weather. In the month of January one gale
occurs as often as every six days, ascertained BY
late observations. But if Columbus had not
discovered America, it must inevitably have
been discovered by outward bound vessels IN
Ida, being driven by these winds TO the coast OF
Brazil, as some afterwards were. Commerce
followed this southerly direction until the war
of Independence; so that Charleston, South
Carolina, was the halfway house from the ports
of Europe to those of New York and New Eng
land. The Carolinas imported three Tins as
much as New York, and their exports were
three times as great as those Of New England,
and four times as great as those Of New York.
The course was south, then due west, and then
north again. In Charleston, and the ports of
the West Indies, vessels were accustomed to
winter on their voyages to more northern ports.
The Gulf Stream was discovered as early as
1912, but was not considered OF much impor-
tance in navigation until DR.. Franklin noticed
the extraordinary temperature of its water
For long period after this its waters were
supposed to run in the same channel and it
was thought that the longitude could be ascer-
tained in arriving at or departing from it, DR..
franklin and Captain Folger, another Ameri-
can, then in England, constructed chart OF
the ocean, with the Gulf Stream, which re-
mained as the chart until my recollection. The
chronometer was not known III those days
These invaluable instruments put out their long
feelers, and warn the mariner of danger In
tall departments of knowledge, nothing new
comes before it is wanted. 1t is so in smaller
as well as in greater matters. OF men, how
often is it said that they are the men for the
occasions in which they are called to act. The
chronometer and the quadrant were the FORE
runners of navigation by steam. Without the
former we could not have had the latter. The
average speed of sailing vessels was only from
two to three miles an hour and when you con-
slider the circuitous routes they took, instead Of
the direct course they now pursue, you IAN see
that the effect Of DR.. Franklin's discovery was
very great upon commerce. At tho earlier stage
of navigation, Charleston was o midway port;
now it is an outside station, and New York and
Boston are midway ports between Charleston
and Europe.
! ---
WOMAN AS DESCRIBED BY VARIOUS FRENCH Az
TnoRs. Rs.--Catalni-Only he who has nothing to
hope from woman is truly sincere in i,er
praise.
Madame de Malntenon-fn everything that
women write there will I've thousands Of faults
agalnst grammar, but also, to certainty, al
ways charm never to be found in the letters
fof men.
j. j. Rousseau--Men can better PHILOSOPHERS
on the human heart, but woman can read it
better.
Michclet--lt is o universal Iule. which, as
far us know, has no exception, that great men
always resemble their mothers, who impress
their mental and physical mark npon their
sons.
Madame Fee--A woman frequently resibts the
love she feels but cannot resist the love she iu-
spires.
Madame do Staal--Loye, in woman q Lille, 10
a history in a mans, an episode
Diderot-There exists among women secret
tie, like that among priests of the same faith.
They hate each other, yet protect each Others
interests.
Stahl-No woman, even the most intellectual,
believes herself decidedly homey,
Duclos---Great and rare heart offerings are
found almost exclusively among women nearly
all the happiness and most blessed moments in
love are their creating and SO also in friendship,
especially when it follows love.
Octave Feulit-Proyidene has 80 ordained
1t that only two women have true intere~t 10
the happiness oi miiii--hts own Iu"tiier Aua
the mother of his children. Besides these two
legitimate kinds OF love, there is nothing b,-
tween the two creatures except vain excitement.
painful and idle delusion,
Lemesle-Most of their faults women owe ,c
MS. whilst we are indebted TO them for met Of
our better qualities.
------' ----------- - -e.s-r----- -------I--
A Musical MousE.-The Buffalo Commercial
relates u curious fact in Natural History, lately
developed at the American Hotel in that city.
A family, having rooms in that hotel, lately left
town for few weeks. On their return, they
found that mouse was in the hahit Of coa-
stantly visiting the cage Of a canary bir'l which
had remained in the room during their atsenee,
having taken that opportunity Of forming the