xxviii 



PREFACE. 



In this pretended review of his Journal, he would 

 scarcely ev er have done. It is therefore necessary 

 to the reader's patience and his own, that he should 

 pass by the more insignificant of these, for the pur- 

 pose of noticing more at large, some of a far more 

 important description, at least as respects his charac- 

 ter for humanity and decorum. It was with a view 

 to vindicate himself from these aspersions, that the 

 author undertook the task of exposing the igno- 

 rance and malevolence of the critic ; and to these 

 he will principally confine himself in the remainder 

 of this article. 



It is made one of the principal charges against 

 Captain Porter, that he has taken occasion to com- 

 pare his cruise, and the damage done to the enemy 

 in the Pacific, to the voyage and the exploits of 

 Commodore Anson, of whom lord Waldegrave 

 says, "Lord Anson was dismissed from the admi- 

 ralty ; a violent clamour having been raised against 

 him, of which he was no more deserving than of 

 the high reputation which preceded it." The 

 Reviewer takes occasion to reject this comparison 

 with horror, and to contrast the author's coming 

 home as a prisoner in one of his prizes, with the 

 return of Anson, with a most triumphant sneer. 



" Anson and Cook," he says, were men of 

 high courage, honour, and generosity. Cook in 

 particular, (of whom David Porter Esquire, speaks 

 with insolent contempt,) was born for all ages and 

 countries," &c. " Jt is impossible to read the voy- 

 ages of these great men without an expansion and 

 elevation of mind. The best feelings of our nature 

 are interested iv their adventures ; and we accom- 

 pany them through a captivating alternation of suf- 

 fering and success, with pity, respect, and triumph. 

 In toiling through the Journal of Captain Porter, 

 the mind shrinks back upon itself; we read of 



