He had accepted the world as the world, but now he was comprehending the organization of it, the play and interplay of force and matter.

Spontaneous explanations of old matters were continually arising in his mind.

Levers and purchases fascinated him, and his mind roved backward to hand-spikes and blocks and tackles at sea.

The theory of navigation, which enabled the ships to travel unerringly their courses over the pathless ocean, was made clear to him.
The mysteries of storm, and rain, and tide were revealed, and the reason for the existence of trade-winds made him wonder whether he had written his article on the northeast trade too soon.

At any rate he knew he could write it better now.