To that of the Mariner's Compass, in the beginning of the 14th century; and from this period may be dated the present perfection of this useful art.
You have given me an account of the restoration of Navigation in Southern Europe: did not the inhabitants of the North also turn their attention to it?
Yes: about the same time, a new society of merchants was formed in the northern parts, which not only carried commerce to the greatest perfection of which it was capable, till the discovery of the Indies, but also formed new codes of useful laws for its regulation.
Codes, books or writings setting forth certain laws or rules respecting particular subjects; books of civil laws.
Are Navigation and Commerce inseparably connected with each other?
It may be considered as a general maxim, that their union is so intimate, that the fall of one inevitably draws after it that of the other; and that they will always either flourish or decline together may be seen, by examining the reason of their passing successively from the Venetians, Genoese, &c., to the Portuguese and Spaniards, and from them to the English, Dutch, &c.
Maxim, rule, an established principle.
Intimate, close.
Inevitably, without possibility of escape, unavoidably.