This same consideration causes him also to utter these remarkable words:  that he repents himself of but one thing, and that is ever to have travelled by sea when it was possible to have done so by land.  And, to say truth, he has good reason to speak as he does, because it is impossible for the most hardy navigators not to tremble with fear when it is represented before their eyes that they must combat with the winds, the waves, and the foam every time that they adventure upon the deep.

“Because it is indisputable that this is the very Theatre of the storms, and the place in the world most capable of all sorts of violence and tragic adventure.  This, however, does not prevent those who covet the perishable goods of this world from straying upon the sea, even in unknown and untraversed regions, without ceasing and without rest.

  “If, however, they abandon the ocean for a time, it is but to return to
  it again to seek once more war with their ships, in order unjustly to
  make themselves masters of the bodies and of the riches of others.

“Of such it may be remarked to-day are, in all the maritime coasts, the implacable Corsairs of Barbary.  For, however great may be the dangers of which we have just spoken, and no matter now many examples they may see of the fury and inconstancy of Neptune, they cease not their irritating performances, kindling warfare in all the coasts of the Christian nations.  It is there that they exercise their infamous piracies, and there also that they glory in the most shameful of all commerce—­the trade of the brigand.

  “Which in all towns that are well policed have always met with a swift
  and just retribution, because the law is ordained against those who
  maintain such practices.

  “But such does not happen among these pirates.

“On the contrary, it may truthfully be said that, while in towns in which good persons dwell good actions receive the palms and the crown, it is among the Corsairs but to the wicked to whom are given recompense and praise.

“In effect the most determined among them—­I mean the most unworthy robbers who are best versed in all the infamies of their trade and most accustomed to the practice of violence—­are those who are covered with honours, and who pass in the estimation of their fellows for men of heart and courage.

  “Indeed experience has taught all Christian merchants that the infidels
  of the coast of Barbary are all brigands.

  “Among these those of Algiers carry off the prize for riches, for ships,
  for strength, and for villainy.”

The bachelor in theology is somewhat sweeping in his criticisms, and his meaning is, perhaps, somewhat clearer than his grammar.  One thing, however, is perfectly plain, that, in the opinion of the reverend brother, those who go to sea are to be divided into two categories, rogues and fools, with a strong preponderance of the worse Element of the two.