Xil INTRODUCTION. 



" Having to proceed from this to the Chincha Islands and 

 remain three months, I avail myself of the present opportunit}'- 

 to forward to you abstracts of my two passages over your southern 

 routes, although not required to do so until my own return to the 

 United States next summer ; knowing that you are less amply 

 supplied with abstracts of voyages over these regions than of 

 many other parts of the ocean, and, such as it is, I am happy to 

 contribute my mite towards furnishing you with material to 

 work out still farther towards perfection your great and glorious 

 task, not only of pointing out the most speedy routes for ships to 

 follow over the ocean, but also of teaching us sailors to look 

 about us, and see by what wonderful manifestations of the 

 wisdom and goodness of the great God we are continually 

 surrounded. 



^' For myself, I am free to confess that for many years I com- 

 manded a ship; and, although never insensible to the beauties of 

 nature upon the sea or land, I yet feel that, until I took up your 

 work, I had been traversing the ocean blindfolded. I did not 

 think ; I did not know the amazing and beautiful combination of 

 all the works of Him whom you so beautifully term ' the Great 

 First Thought.' 



"I feel that, aside from any pecuniary profit to myself from 

 your labours, you have done me good as a man. You have taught 

 me to look above, around, and beneath me, and recognize God's 

 hand in every element by which I am surrounded. I am grateful 

 for this personal benefit. Your remarks on this subject, so fre- 

 quently made in your work, cause in me feelings of the greatest 

 admiration, although my capacity to comprehend your beautiful 

 theory is very limited. 



" The man of such sentiments as you express will not be 

 displeased with, or, at least, will know how to excuse, so much 

 of what (in a letter of this kind) might be termed irrelevant 

 matter. I have therefore spoken as I feel, and with sentiments 

 of the greatest respect." 



Sentiments like these cannot fail to meet with a hearty re- 

 sponse from all good men, whether ashore or afloat. Admiral 

 Fitzroy, admitting the value of the practical results already 

 derived by commerce and navigation from these researches, is of 

 opinion that their influence in improving and elevating the mind 

 of the British seaman also, can scarcely be of less importance. 



Never before has such a corps of observers been enlisted in 



