END OF TERRA AUSTRALIS 477 



Cook possessed a marvellous combination of qualities. Activity of 

 His physique was splendid ; he could do anything, endure m 

 anything, eat anything, and digest almost anything ; l 

 he was only once seriously ill, and was then cured by eating 

 the ship's dog in the way of soup. His activity of mind, 

 both in speculation and in affairs was amazing. He had 

 the full scientific temperament, alike enthusiastic though 

 he would have hated the word and sceptical ; eager 

 to know, and to know nought save the truth. And he 

 had wonderful judgment in the drawing of inferences, 

 and in the balancing of argument. His eye for scientific 

 problems was as keen as that of a professional student. 

 He observed, for example, the curious problem of the 

 precise relation of the peoples of New Holland and of New 

 Guinea, and he discussed, a century before Darwin, the 

 probable origin and growth of the coral islands. 



And he applied the same vigour of mind to the solution Practical 

 of practical questions. In the story of exploration he abllltv - 

 is the great organiser of victories. His was the policy 

 of thorough. He first thought out in full and exact 

 ways all the matters of necessary detail : the choice 

 of ships, the instruments of navigation, the methods 

 of coastal survey, and, above all, the means of preserving 

 health. And, having thought things out, he got things 

 done. He not only did things himself, he persuaded others 

 to do them. He was a Scotchman's son, and therefore 

 a philosopher. Very remarkable are his quiet studies 

 of psychology : the psychology, for example, of affec- 

 tionate South S x ea island thieves, and of drinking, cursing, 

 courageous, faithful British seamen. He understood them, 

 and he knew how to persuade them to do what he wanted 

 them to do, or as much of it as it was in any way possible 



1 His only failure was with poisonous fish in New Caledonia, which 

 made him exceedingly ill, and exceedingly angry. Next time one was 

 caught, " he ordered it to be cleaned and boiled, in spite of the earnest 

 representations of all his messmates, who warned him against its 

 pernicious effects. It was at last set before him, by his positive orders, 

 and his friends found no other means to save him than to ridicule his 

 mad design. Their humorous and satirical remarks had a better effect 

 than friendly admonitions, and he desisted from the attempt " (Forster, 

 ii. pp. 403 and 439). 



