306 THE OCEAN, 



itineraries assure us, that the coast of Tartary runs not northward 

 from Nova-zembla, but turns very much towards the east; so that 

 the head land of Nova-zembla is far the most northern part of ali 

 Tartary, 



It remains now to inquire by whar course, and in what season of 

 the year, this voyage is best to be undertaken ? It is hardly to be 

 doubted, but that the strait which lies between Spitzberg and 

 Nova.zembla may be passed ; and the course to be directed to 78, 

 79, or 80 degrees of north latitude. If any shall proceed farther 

 in the same work, he will find the passage shorter; for drawing a 

 line from our seas through the 78th or 79th degree of latitude, to 

 the Strait of Jezzo, it will be very near a straight line : but if any 

 would, from the same degree of latitude, having passed Nova- 

 zembla, choose to steer toward the coast of Tartary, and coast 

 aloni: by it, till he meet with some strait, he would find his course 

 somewhat longer, but perhaps safer and better. 



As to the time of the year, wherein this navigation ought to 

 bfgin; it may be in the beginning of the spring, viz. in the month 

 of March, when it is confessed by most mew, that the winds and 

 seas are favourable to those that sail to Spitzberg, and the places 

 near the pole; and that they may run all that course from these 

 parts in twelve or thirteen days: but when they have passed so 

 far, if any man would design to sail to the Straits of Jezzo, he 

 must steer his course towards the south. But then those motions 

 of the winds and seas, which were favourable to those who sailed 

 northward, will be contrary to those who stand southward ; and 

 they may long enough expect northern gales, which seldom blow 

 till towards the latter end of summer, viz. in the month of Augn-t, 

 If therefore any man would contrive to dispatch his voyage in the 

 shortest time, it would be safest to make choice of that time of 

 the year, where he might soonest make Spitzberg and return again, 

 which might be in the beginning of summer : yet it would be safer 

 to set out sooner, if the wind permit. And although this course 

 should happily succeed, it follows not that I should advise them to 

 observe the same in their return homeward ; for things of that na- 

 ture must be left to the prudence and conduct of discreet pilots and 

 mariners, who ought to shun all near approach to the coasts and 

 islands which they shall encounter, for fear of the ice ; and that 

 they aJways make choice of the most open seas, which are least 



