CHAPTER XIX 



THE VOYAGE OF THE ROEBUCK 



THE painted prince was dead; but, in spite of " rooks," Dampier's 

 one asset remained, the precious Journal so diligently ^- u ^ n ^ 

 written, and so carefully preserved through all adventure 1697. 

 and disaster. It was both a fascinating account of travel 

 in strange lands, and a scientific study of things seen. 

 Students of science were now organised in the Royal 

 Society, and were there debating, with plentiful and in- 

 genious ignorance, subjects concerning which the ex-pirate 

 had first-hand and exact knowledge. In 1697 a large 

 part of the Journal was printed in a book dedicated to the 

 President of the Royal Society, Charles Montague, Earl 

 of Halifax, one of the most important politicians of the 

 time. Dampier hopes that, as the scene of his travels 

 " is not only remote, but for the most part little frequented 

 also, so there may be some things in them new even to 

 you ; and some not altogether unuseful to the public." 

 He avows " a hearty zeal for the promoting of useful 

 knowledge, and of anything that may never so remotely 

 tend to my country's advantage." And he is " desirous 

 to bring in my gleanings here and there in remote regions 

 to that general magazine of the knowledge of foreign 

 parts, which the Royal Society thought you most worthy 

 the custody of, when they chose you for their president." 

 He trusts that Lord Halifax will " judge him capable 

 of serving his country." 



The President of the Royal Society judged Dampier A voyage 

 capable of serving his country. He introduced him to NevT P 

 the First Lord of the Admiralty, who consented to Dampier's Holland. 

 W.A. 321 x 



