76 INTRODUCTION TO THE 



The several topics which occurred, as suitable to 

 this general Introduction, being now discussed, no- 

 thing remains but to state a few particulars, about 

 which the reader of these volumes has a right to 

 expect some information. 



Captain Cook, knowing, before he sailed upon this 

 last expedition, that it was expected from him to 

 ?*elate, as well as to execute, its operations, had taken 

 care to prepare such a journal as might be made use 

 of for publication. This journal, which exists in his 

 own hand-writing, has been faithfully adhered to. 

 It is not a bare extract from his log-books, but con- 

 tains many remarks which it appears had not been 

 inserted by him in the nautical register ; and it is 

 also enriched with considerable communications from 

 Mr. Anderson, surgeon of the Resolution. The con- 

 fessed abilities and great assiduity of Mr. Anderson, 

 in observing every thing that related either to na- 

 tural history, or to manners and language ; and the 

 desire which, it is well known, Captain Cook, on all 

 occasions, showed to have the assistance of that gen- 

 tleman, stamped a great value on his collections. 

 That nothing, therefore, might be wanting to convey 

 to the public the best possible account of the trans- 

 actions of the voyage, his journal, by the order of 

 Lord Sandwich, was also put into the hands of the 

 editor, who was authorized and directed to avail 

 himself of the information it might be found to con- 

 tain, about matters imperfectly touched, or altogether 

 omitted, in Captain Cook's manuscript. This task 

 has been executed in such a manner, that the reader 

 will scarcely ever be at a loss to distinguish in what 

 instances recourse has been had to Mr. Anderson. 

 To preclude, if possible, any mistake, the copy of the 

 first and second volumes, before it went to the printer, 

 was submitted to Captain King ; and after it had been 

 read over and corrected by one so well qualified topoint 

 out any inaccuracies, the Earl of Sandwich had the 

 goodness to give it a perusal. As to the third volume, 



