terms which had always been applied to them; terms which did not

over-express the admiration with which the people viewed them.

Mr. Dickens's position was unassailable, possibly; the people's

position was certainly unassailable. If Mr. Dickens was

comparing these boats with the crown jewels; or with the Taj,

or with the Matterhorn; or with some other priceless or wonderful

thing which he had seen, they were not magnificent--he was right.

The people compared them with what they had seen; and, thus measured,