330 Geography. 



considered as having made a valuable addition to 

 the geographical knowledge of his time. 



In 1735 DonJuan and Don Ulloa were sent, by 

 eommandof the King of Spain, to South-America, 

 on an expedition, which was before noticed, for 

 ascertaining the Figiire of tJic Earth. Few voyages 

 have been more justly celebrated than this. By 

 the labours of the bold and active Spaniards who 

 conducted the undertaking, and by the faithful, 

 accurate and enlightened observation of the French 

 academicians who were united w^ith them in the 

 grand design, not only their primary object was 

 gained, but large and valuable stores of information 

 were furnished, in astronomy, geography, navi^ 

 gation, and the sciences in general. 



Soon after the accession of George I. to the 

 throne of Britain, he became fired with a zeal 

 for discovery, which had for some time lain dor- 

 mant in that country. Two voyages were accord- 

 ingly set on foot, the one under the command of 

 Captain Middle ton, and the other under the di- 

 rection of Captains Moore and Smyth, with a 

 view to discover a north-west passage, through 

 Hudson's Bay, to the East-Indies. It is scarcely 

 liecessary to say that both these undertakings were 

 unsuccessful with respect to their main object; 

 still, however, they were productive of some use- 

 ful information ; as was also the celebrated voyage 

 of Lord Anson, undertaken principally for war- 

 like purposes, about the same time.^ When his 

 present Britannic Majesty came to the crown, 

 the same zeal for geographical discovery continu- 

 ed and increased. The delusive hope of finding 

 a great Southern Continent, which had so long 

 filled the minds of the learned, presented an in- 



f The account of Anson's Voyage, which is well drawn, was said to be 

 executed by Dr. Walters, a gentleman who accompanied his lordship a* 

 chaplain; but the real compiler cf the narrative was Mr. Robins. 



