96 WHALE-FISHER r. 



CHAPTER IL 



COMPARATIVE VIEAV OF THE ORIGIN, PROGRESS, 

 AND PRESENT STATE OF THE WHALE-FISH- 

 ERIES OF THE DIFFERENT EUROPEAN NA- 

 TIONS. 



JlXaving now, SO far as my materials extend, 

 brought down the account of the northern whale- 

 fisheries in chronological order, it may not be amiss, 

 before entering upon the practice of the whale-fish- 

 ery, to give a short retrospect of the establish- 

 ment of this trade, and of the progress made in it 

 by different nations. This view of the subject, be- 

 sides enabling the reader to draw a comparison of 

 the perseverance and abilities evidenced by the dif- 

 ferent powers engaged in this adventurous employ- 

 ment, will likewise admit of a variety of interesting 

 tables and deductions, which could not with such 

 propriety be introduced into the chronological his- 

 tory. 



Tlie first intimation we have of the human race 

 being found sufficiently courageous and enterpri- 



