272 EXCELLENT HEALTH IN COOK*S VOYAGES. 



and that their deplorable fate was aggravated by 

 these causes. But when we look to the conduct of 

 later navigators, in circumstances equally trying, it 

 is impossible to resist the gratifying conviction, that 

 mortality like this forms no part of the designs of a 

 beneficent Providence, and that, for the best of pur- 

 poses, our safety is placed, to a great extent, within 

 the limits of our own power. The late memorable 

 expeditions of Parry, of Franklin, and more espe* 

 cially of Ross, who, with few resources, spent up- 

 wards of four years in the desolate regions of the 

 north, with scarcely any loss of life, are examples 

 pregnant with meaning to all who are interested in 

 the future progress of man. 



It may be said that the climate and situation of 

 the two parties were dissimilar. In some respects 

 the objection is well founded ; but Cook's second 

 voyage round the world, in 1772, affords a parallel 

 presenting so many points of resemblance to that 

 of Anson, that no one can reasonably object to their 

 comparison. On this occasion, the vessels selected 

 were the Resolution, carrying 112 men, and the 

 Adventure, with a crew of 81. Enlightened by for- 

 mer experience, Cook spared no pains to effect his 

 equipment in the completest manner, and to lay in 

 such stores of clothing and provisions as he knew 

 to be useful in preserving the health of those under 

 his command. Among these were malt, sour krout, 

 portable broth, sugar, and wheat. Care was taken 

 to expose the men to wet as little as possible, to 

 make them shift themselves after being wet, and to 

 keep their persons, hammocks, bedding, and clothes per- 

 fectly clean and dry. Equal attention was paid to 

 keep the ship clean and dry between decks ; once or 

 twice a week it was aired with fires ; and a fire was 

 also frequently made at the bottom of the well, 

 which was of great use in purifying the air in the 

 lower parts of the ship. To the last precaution too 

 great attention cannot be paid ; as the least neglect 



