Currents, observes Goldsmith, act their part in a smaller sphere, being generally greatest where the motions of the sea are least, namely, nearest the shores, and with the tides, produce the most rapid changes; their motion agitates the substances of which their bed is composed, and at the bottom of the sea, the greatest wonders are performed, for while the sea has been known to recede from some lands, so it has been found to encroach upon others, and probably these depredations on one part of the shore may account for the dereliction of another, for the current which rested upon some certain bank, having got an egress in some other place, it no longer presses upon its former bed, but pours all its stream into the new entrance, so that every inundation of the sea may be attended with some correspondent dereliction of another shore, where the sea meets no obstacles, it spreads with a gentle intumescence, till all the power is destroyed by wanting depth to aid the motion, but when the progress is checked in the midst by the prominence of rocks or the abrupt elevation of land, it dashes with all its force its depth against the obstacle, and forms, by its repeated violence, that abruptness of the shore which confines its impetuosity. Where the sea is extremely deep, and very much vexed with tempests, it is no small obstacle that can confine its rage; and for this reason, we see the boldest shores projected against the deepest waters, all less impediments having long before been surmounted and washed away. In places where the force of the sea is less violent, or its tides less rapid, the shores are generally seen to descend with a more gradual declivity. Upon these shores the sea seldom beats with any great violence, as a large wave has not depth sufficient to float it onwards, so that here only are to be seen gentle surges making towards the land, and lessening as they approach. As the sea, in the former description, is generally seen to present prospects of tumult and uproar, here it more usually exhibits a repose and tranquil beauty. Its waters which, when surveyed from the precipice, afforded a muddy greenish hue, arising from their depth and position to the eye, {29} when regarded from a shelving shore, were the colour of the sky, and seem rising to meet it. The deafening noise of the deep sea is here converted into gentle murmurs; instead of the waters dashing against the face of the rock, it advances and recedes, still going forward but with just force enough to push its weeds and shells, by insensible approaches, to the shore. CHAPTER III. THE GERMAN OCEAN—ITS GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION—ITS TIDES—DISASTROUS EFFECTS IN COMBINATION WITH GALES OF WIND FROM THE NORTH-WEST ON DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COAST UNDER CONSIDERATION—EXAMPLES.