INTRODUCTION. Ixi 



which cannot fail to be confidered, in every fucceeding age, as 

 a fplendid period in the hiftory of our country, and to add to 

 our national glory, by diftinguifhing Great Britain as taking 

 the lead in the mofl arduous undertakings for the common 

 benefit of the human race. Before thefe voyages took place, 

 nearly half the furface of the 'globe we inhabit was hid in 

 obfcurity and confufion. What is ftill wanting to complete 

 our geography, may juftly be termed the mlnutice of that 

 fcience. 



4. Let us no\^'' carry our thoughts fomewhat farther. Iz 

 is fortunace for the interefts of knov»?ledge, that acquifitions- 

 in any one bi nch. generally, and indeed unavoidably, lead' 

 to acquifitions in odier branches, perhaps of ftill greater 

 Gonfequence ; and that we cannot even gratify mere curio- 

 fity, without being rewarded with valuable inftru^tion. 

 This obfcrvation applies to the fubje6t before us. Voyages, 

 in which new oceans have been traverfed, and in which new 

 countries have been vifited, can fca,rcely ever be performed, 

 without bringing forward to our view frefh obje<fl:s of fci- 

 ence. Even when v^e are to take our report of what was 

 difcovered, from the mere failor, wbofe knovv'ledge fcarcely 

 goes beyond the narrow limits of his own profeffion, and 

 whofe inquiries are not directed by philofophical difcern- 

 ment, it ;vill be unfortunate indeed, if fomething hatli nor 

 been remarked, by which the fcholar may profit, and ufe- 

 f ul acceflions be made to our old ftock of information, .nd 

 if this be the cafe in general, how much more muft be 

 gained by the particular voyages now under confideration I 

 Befides naval officers equally flvilled to examine the coafts 

 they might approach, as to delineate them accurately upon 

 5; sheic 



