VOL. X.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 235 



periments made by the governors of the East India Company, in the years l652 

 and 53, they resolved to proceed no further on the discovery ; as well because 

 the Emperor of Japan interdicted the navigation of foreigners into Jezzo, in re- 

 gard, as they say, of the vast tribute which he annually raises from the silver 

 mines there ; as because they thought it may little conduce to their advantage, 

 to have this compendious way of navigation discovered. And therefore they 

 have thought fit to prohibit all further search into the navigation to Jezzo, and 

 the adjacent countries ; for which very reason they have also endeavoured to 

 conceal their Austral plantations. 



Now concerning that tract or space which lies between Spitzberg, Nova- 

 zembla, and the Straits of Jezzo, we have no reason to entertain any doubt ; espe- 

 cially as many of the Muscovite 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 all 

 Tartary. 



It remains now to inquire by what 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 along 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 begin ; it may 

 be in the beginning of the spring, viz. in the month of March, when it is con- 

 fessed by most men, 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 12 or 13 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 to- 

 wards 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 August. 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 



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