'22 United States Exploring Expedition. 



ever could illustrate the condition or resources of the regions 

 visited ; the customs, languages, or history of their unknown 

 tribes ; or the motion of the winds, the waters, the world, or 

 the stars, has been thought worthy of observation. Cook was 

 dispatched to the Pacific Ocean expressly to observe the transit 

 of Venus, and Sir Joseph Banks and Forster accompanied him 

 at different times in his voyages around the world. In the 

 late voyage of Fitzroy, Mr Darwin was associated with the 

 expedition, and made large contributions to science. France 

 has outstripped England in the liberality with which her ex- 

 peditions have been fitted out, and in the magnificence of her 

 publications. The many folio volumes of plates, published as 

 the result of the voyages of Freycinet, Duperrey, and D'Urville, 

 and those of Napoleon's expedition into Egypt, are among the 

 most splendid productions of the age. They are a noble gift 

 from France to the world. 



America has at last taken her part in the labours of explora- 

 tion. An Exploring Expedition has been sent out, and has 

 returned. It was organized on a plan honourable to a nation 

 that is second to none in enterprise and general education ; 

 and its results, when published, will, it is believed, equal in 

 amount and interest those of any expedition that has preceded 

 it. The expedition sailed under the command of Lieutenant 

 Charles Wilkes, who was aided by intelligent officers, well- 

 fitted for the duties to which they were called ; and the large 

 number of charts that have been made in the course of the 

 cruise, evince alike the energy of the commander, and the 

 industry and skill of all engaged in the surveys. The duties 

 have been extremely laborious, beyond the conception of the 

 comfortable house-dweller at home. The loss of one schooner 

 with all hands, including two officers ; the total wreck of 

 another vessel — the sloop of war Peacock — stripping the crew 

 of everything but their lives ; the massacre of two officers by 

 the savages of the Feejee islands, and of a sailor by the treacher- 

 ous Kingsmill Islanders, are the only fatal disasters ; but they 

 are a few only of its perils. Indeed, there were dangers every- 

 where, by land as well as by sea. The personal adventures in 

 the course of the cruise, told as simple tales, without exag- 

 geration, would make a volume full of startling incidents, and 

 replete with interest. 



