858 Captain HalPs Notice of a Voyage of Research. 



evil, which is of perpetual recurrence, lies in having distinct ac- 

 counts properly arranged and methodised of the resources of 

 all the chief ports of the world. It signifies nothing to tell 

 the seaman or shipowner that there have been already hun- 

 dreds of voyages written, and that the requisite information is 

 somewhere upon record ; for, although this may be true, still it 

 is not to be had in a shape which seamen can avail themselves of. 

 Either the circumstances under which those voyages have been 

 written are materially altered, as in the case of all the South Sea 



* Islands, New Holland, and South America, or the information 

 is scattered over long works, written with no such views, and, 

 like the nautical observations which most voyages contain, en- 

 tangled with narratives, or other extraneous matter, from which 

 it is impossible to free them, or turn them to account at the 

 moment of need. 



These remarks apply particularly to the necessities of trading 

 ships; but it would be of use also to ascertain the resources 

 suitable to King's ships in the same places, in the event of war. 

 Much vexatious delay is often caused abroad by the igno- 

 rance of traders as to the local regulations of the different ports ; 

 and it has sometimes happened, that unpleasant discussions have 

 arisen even between the government of those places and the cap- 

 tains of his Majesty"'s ships, on points respecting which no pre- 

 vious diligence on their part could have given them information. 

 Actual inquiries, regularly instituted on the spot, and for this 

 express purpose, are the only means of obtaining the local know- 

 ledge which would prevent these embarrassments. Every one at 

 all acquainted with remote foreign stations, knows how conti- 

 nually such difficulties are produced by ignorance of what is 



: .customary. 



GENERAL SCIENCE. 



In considering the scientific observations which might be 

 made on such a voyage, those for determining the length of the 

 seconds pendulum occupy the first place. The figure of the 

 earth is a question which at present occupies much of the at- 

 tention of the scientific world ; and this method of determining 

 the point is one which might be pursued with great advantage 

 during the progress of these inquiries, without essentially inter- 

 fering with the more practical and useful objects already ad- 



