Page:The history of yachting.djvu/323

 Rh wood had reached their highest limit of development upon the ocean; when captains with speaking trumpets commanded their ships from the quarterdeck. In those days ships carried single topsails with four reef-bands, studding sails, ringtails, water-sails and sky-sails, when

were picturesque and even romantic objects of interest, which so many New England boys were unable to resist, and whose influence continued strong in after life; for the love of a ship and the sea once implanted is rarely, if ever, uprooted.

In what, then, does this pleasure of being on the ocean in a finely-equipped, well-manned and commanded sailing vessel really consist? One might answer: In what does the pleasure of anything really consist? Speaking broadly, and in a general way, it may be said that freedom from the countless vexations and worries of land is a negative pleasure; while in the comparatively small community of a ship, system, order, and the relative duties, rights and privileges of every person on board are defined, and the friction, the everlasting scramble, and the hurly-burly of land are unknown. Yet this life of social repose is enlivened by adventure; by the strong contrasts of work and rest, and by hardships even; which, ended, enhance the moment of happiness; while the ever changing conditions of the winds and waves are a constant interest. The nearness to the forces and glories of nature, the awful majesty of the hurricane is inspiring, as the