Chap, v.] Gcograpliy, 31 



dore Roggeweiii, and dispatched him to the Pacific 

 Ocean, in search of unknown countries. The (hs- 

 covery of a southern continent was the particular 

 object of this expedition. And although tlie re- 

 spectable navigator to whom it was entrusted did 

 not succeed in accomplishing his main purpose, 

 yet he discovered a number of islands, and w^as 

 considered as having made a valuable addition to 

 the geographical know^ledge of his time. 



In 1735 don J.uan and don Ulloa were sent, by 

 command of the king of Spain, to South America, 

 on an expedition, which w^as before noticed, for 

 ascertaining the Figure of the 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 observations of tlie French 

 academicians wdio were united with them in the 

 grand design, not only their primary object was 

 gained, but large and valuable stores of information 

 were furnished, in astronomy, geography, naviga- 

 tion, 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 dormant 

 in that country. Two voyages were accordingly 

 set on foot, the one under the command of captain 

 Middleton, and the other under the direction of 

 captains Moore and Smyth, w^ith a view to discover 

 a north-west passage, through Hudson*s Bay, to 

 the East Indies. It is scarcely necessary to say 

 that both these undertakings were unsuccessful 

 with respect to their main object ; still, how^ever, 

 they were productive of some useful information; 



