( v ) 



PREFACE. 



If, by bringing forward the present volume, I 

 shall have succeeded in affording gratification to 

 those who are mainly the objects of it, my prin- 

 cipal aim will be accomplished : in the com- 

 pilation of it, I was influenced by the considera- 

 tion that such an epitome was due to those, whose 

 persevering and adventurous exertions for the 

 extension and improvement of science and geo- 

 graphy have conferred a public benefit. But it 

 did not escape me, that something of this kind was 

 also wanting, and might be acceptable, to sup- 

 ply the place of the official quarto volumes, whose 

 costly size and decorations preclude them from the 

 general and ordinary class of readers. By the 

 copious details they embrace, in every branch of 

 astronomical and nautical science, of geography, 

 meteorology, and other physical researches, — the 



