390 



THE DISCOVERY OF AUSTRALIA 



Observa- 

 tions of an 

 eclipse of the 

 sun. 



and " their accuracy is truly astonishing." Meanwhile, 

 he was diligently studying mathematics and astronomy, 

 " without other assistance than what a few books and 

 his own industry afforded him." In August 1766 he made 

 observations of an eclipse of the sun, which, in April 1767, 

 were communicated to the Royal Society, whose Trans- 

 actions described him as "a good mathematician, and 

 very expert in his business." In April 1768 a new sur- 

 veyor was appointed " in the absence of Mr. Cook who 

 is to be employed elsewhere." In May, a Council of the 

 Royal Society was held, and " Mr. Cook," says the record, 

 " was called in." 



Mr. Cook was now a man of thirty-nine. His appear- 

 ance may be easily imagined from the description written, 

 when all was over, by one who had sailed in the last voyage. 

 " His person was above six feet high, and, though a good- 

 looking man, he was plain both in address and appearance. 

 His head was small ; his hair, which was dark brown, 

 he wore tied behind. His face was full of expression, 

 his nose exceedingly well-shaped, his eyes, which were 

 small and of a brown cast, were quick and piercing ; his 

 eyebrows prominent, which gave his countenance altogether 

 an air of austerity." These things the Councillors saw. 

 And probably they guessed something good concerning 

 the qualities of spirit and of mind in the man who stood 

 before then. " Nature," says the same witness in words 

 which our whole story will illustrate, " Nature had 

 endowed him with a mind vigorous and comprehensive, 

 with a clear judgment, strong masculine sense, and the 

 most determined resolution ; with a genius peculiarly 

 turned for enterprise, he pursued his object with unshaken 

 perseverance ; vigilant and active in an eminent degree ; 

 cool and intrepid among dangers ; patient and firm among 

 difficulties and distress ; fertile in expedients ; great 

 and original in all his designs, active and resolved in 



carrying them into execution He was a modest 



man, and rather bashful ; of an agreeable lively conversa- 

 tion, sensible and intelligent. In his temper he was 

 somewhat hasty, but of a disposition the most friendly, 



