branches of knowledge are demanded of the
intelligent seaman. Thus in Naval Architecture, the terms used in the
construction of ships, the plans and sections, and the mechanical means
of the builders, are undoubted requirements of a sea word-book. So also
in Astronomy, or that portion of nautical science constituting
observations which are necessary to the determinations of the navigator.
In Mathematics, especially the branch distinguished as practical, the
doctrine which teaches whatever is capable of being numbered or
measured, requires verbal elucidation, not so much for the educated
youth, as for him who labours under difficulties--who is

"In canvass'd berth, profoundly deep in thought,
His busy mind with sines and tangents fraught."

Many of the words in our columns are not _de facto_ sea-terms, but as
they are in rife and familiar use on ship-board, they obtained a
lodgment; whence it becomes rather a difficult matter to mark a
boundary for nautic language. Various expressions are also retained
which, though unused or all but obsolete, occur so frequently in
professional treatises and antiquated journals, that their exposition
may often be welcomed by a general reader: they are here introduced, not
as worthy of revival, yet as necessary to be understood when fallen in
with. And it should be remembered, that--especially during our last
conflict with France--so many combined enterprises occurred, that the
most general naval and military phrases pertained, in a manner, to both
arms of the service.

What may be termed mere galley-slang also demands explanation, since
even officers are sometimes ashore--I was going to say at
sea--respecting its purport; and I recollect at a court-martial holden
on a seaman for insolence to his superior, the lingo used by the shrewd
culprit was liable to be thought respectful or otherwise according to
the manner of utterance, and he was admitted to the benefit of the
doubtful meaning. Still it must be admitted that all vulgarisms, as far
as practicable, should be indignantly spurned from our noble English
language--a language unequalled for excellence in fluency, capacity, and
strength. A stern critic may also, and in truth, aver that terms are
included on our roll the which are not altogether of maritime usage.
This we have admitted, but the allegation will be greatly weakened on
scrutiny, for they are here given in the sense entertained of them in
nautic parlance. Such are