Page:History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce (Volume 1).djvu/680

 "Very large sweeps were exhibited as in actual use in the Exhibition of 1851, if I remember right.

"From some rude experiments with fir poles, I think 35-feet oars could be efficiently handled.

"The lower tiers would ship first, and the hands assist the upper.

"These are mere notions; but if they should be new to you, I shall be glad I entertained them."

APPENDIX No. 2.

Ordinances made by King Richard to be observed among seafaring men, 1190, in the second year of his reign.

'Firste, that if any man chanced to slea another on the Ship-*bord he should be bound to the deed body and soe throwen into the sea.

Secondly, if he killed him on land he should yett be bound to him as before, and soe buryed quicke, together.

"Thirdly, if any man should be convicted by lawfull witnesse that he drewe any weapon to strike any other, or chanced, by striking of any man, to drawe blood of him that was smitten, he should loose his hand.

"Fourthly, if he give but a blowe with his fist, without bloodsheddinge, he should be plunged three severall tymes over head and eares in water.

"Fiftly, if any man reviled another he should for every tyme soe missusinge himselfe forfeit an ounce of silver.

"Sixtely, if any man were taken with thefte or pickerye, and thereof konuicted, he should have his head poolled and hot pitche powred upon his pate and upon that the feathers of some pillowe or cushione shaken aloft, that he might thereby be knowne for a theefe, and at the next arrivall of the shipps to any land, be put forth of the Company to seeke his adventure without all hope to retourne to his fellowes."