Industry, like men, sometimes thrives upon obstacles.
[Illustration: "AFTER A BRITISH LIEUTENANT HAD PICKED THE BEST OF HER CREW"] For twenty-five years succeeding the adoption of the Constitution the maritime interest--both shipbuilding and shipowning--thrived more, perhaps, than any other gainful industry pursued by the Americans.

Yet it was a time when every imaginable device was employed to keep our people out of the ocean-carrying trade.

The British regulations, which denied us access to their ports, were imitated by the French.

The Napoleonic wars came on, and the belligerents bombarded each other with orders in council and decrees that fell short of their mark, but did havoc among neutral merchantmen.

To the ordinary perils of the deep the danger of capture--lawful or unlawful--by cruiser or privateer, was always to be added.