it would but be leaving it off afterwards. And I hope the Sea Gentlemen will not be angry at this little Essay, as it is wrote for the Sake of their Health and Constitutions.
They know very well, that Wind travels much slower than is imagined by the Generality of Landmen; which brings me to another Error, (viz.)
XIV.
That nothing which moves upon the Surface of the Earth, is so swift as the Wind.
Though, in a Storm, Wind moves with a great Velocity, yet in a moderate Gale, it is nothing near so swift as is generally apprehended.
The Ancients were so wrapped up in their Opinion of the Swiftness of Wind, that they were sure to introduce it as a
Simile, when they intended to describe any Thing that was rapid in it's Motion.
Horace, for one, was so fond of it, that he has introduced it into his elegant Ode, Otium Divos, &c.
Scandit æratas vitiosa Naves,
Cura; nec Turmas Equitum relinquit