d her out until at last she floated,
was towed into dock, and finally repaired.

Thus were several thousands of pounds saved to Mr Hazlit, and not only
to him, but to the world, for a lost ship--unlike a dropt purse--is a
_total_ loss to the human race.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

HISTORICAL BUT NOT HEAVY.

There can be no question of the fact that authentic history sends its
roots into the subsoil of fabulous antiquity. In turning to the records
of submarine exploration we are staggered on the very threshold of the
question with obvious absurdity. We are depressed. We seek to dive
into our subject, but find it too deep for us. If we were to put on the
latest "patent improved diving-dress," with all its accompaniments of
double-extra pumps, pipes, powers, and purchases, and descend to a depth
of antiquity that would suffice to collapse a whale, we should find
nothing but idiotic speculation in the midst of chaotic darkness.

In this chapter we shall give a mere outline, and even that somewhat
disjointed, of the subject of diving. We feel tempted to pass by the
fabulous period altogether, but fear lest, in our effort to eschew the
false, we do damage to the true. Perhaps, therefore, it were well to
walk humbly in the beaten path of our forefathers, and begin at the
beginning.

It is not certain whether Adam was a diver. There is reason to believe
that he wore no "dress" of any kind at first, so that, if he dived at
all, he must have used his natural powers alone. These powers, we learn
from the best authorities, are barely sufficient to enable a man to stay
under water for two minutes at the furthest. Experience corroborates
these "best authorities." It has been asserted that pearl-divers can
sometimes stay under water as long as three, four, and even five
minutes, but we don't believe the assertion. If the reader does, we
have no hesitation in pronouncing him--or her--credulous.

To return to Adam. We have no doubt whatever that he--perhaps Eve
also--could dive. It is possible, though not probable, that they
"guddled" small trout in the streams of Paradise, and dived for the big
ones in the deeper pools. We _may_ be wrong in supposing that they did,
but he would certainly be bold who should assert that they did _not_.
Unfortunately neither Adam nor Eve used the pen, therefore we have no
authentic records as to the art of diving at that period of the world's
history.

The first writer who makes reference