560 Captain HalPs Notice of a Voyage of Research. 



of waves ascertained, — meteorological tables framed in different 

 climates, — ^hygrometers and other instruments tried, — mineralo- 

 gical, zoological and botanical collections of natural history, might 

 also be made, without deviating from the path which an atten- 

 tion to the more useful objects of the voyage would prescribe. 

 The ingenious and valuable theories of Mr Daniell on the con- 

 stitution of the atmosphere, suggest manv curious investiga- 

 tions to the voyager who should have leisure to follow them 

 up. 



Fifth Head, General Information. 



It is difficult to say to what extent a popular account of the 

 state of manners, domestic and political, might be rendered in- 

 teresting or useful, if made to embrace so extensive a voyage as 

 that here contemplated. But it can scarcely be doubted, that, 

 in these days of curiosity and research, a simple statement of 

 the characteristic traits of the inhabitants at the principal sta- 

 tions on the different coasts of the world, would not be deemed 

 an unimportant addition to our knowledge. It would be cu- 

 rious, for example, to point out the operation of the causes 

 which have been in action in the South Sea Islands since the 

 days of Cook ; and, generally speaking, to mark the eff'ect of our 

 attempts to civilise and convert the ruder inhabitants of the 

 globe. 



It may be remarked, that there are already several detached 

 expeditions sent by this country to diff'erent parts of the world. 

 But their objects are all more or less particular, and, though 

 highly useful in themselves, cannot either, jointly or singly, be 

 expected to furnish the results contemplated here, the essential 

 value of which lies in their being part of one connected series, 

 performed by one course of service, and by means of a uniform 

 set of instruments and the same observers. Indeed, it may pos- 

 sibly be true, that to give the detached surveys alluded to their 

 full utility, their particular results ought to be connected by 

 some such general plan as that which is here described. 



It is difficult to say precisely what would be the best route to 

 follow, but the following sketch includes most of the places, the 

 geographical situation of which it seems desirable to ascertain 

 more precisely than is at present known, while, at the same time, 

 i\, takes in those stations at which the pendulum might be swung. 



