/ 
[At Mauritius. 
386 A VOYAGE TO 
1804. the general would risk the displeasure of his government, and par- 
Mard1 ' ticularly of the first consul Bonaparte, by whose order my passport 
had been given, and who had professed himself to be a patron of 
science. A voyage of discovery undertaken upon liberal principles, 
and carried on with zeal, tempered with humanity towards the in- 
habitants of the countries visited, seemed to me an object to interest 
every person, of whatever nation or profession. The philosopher, 
or man of general science would see his knowledge of the globe, and 
of man, its principal inhabitant, so much the object of such a voyage, 
that he might consider it as undertaken for his gratification ; and he 
who professed a particular branch, whether of natural philosophy or 
natural history, would expect so many new observations and dis- 
coveries in his favourite pursuit, that the voyagers could not fail to 
have his best wishes for their success. A professor of the fine arts 
might expect new and striking subjects to be brought to light, upon 
which to exercise his genius and display his powers ; the merchant 
and manufacturer would anticipate fresh aids to their industry, and 
new markets for its produce; and the seaman, from such a voyage, 
would expect the discovery of new passages and harbours, to which 
he might have recourse either for convenience or safety; and he 
would also see in it the adoption of the best means for advancing his 
art to perfection. The philanthropist and zealous Christian would 
have delight in observing the blessings of civilization thus continually 
extending themselves, and in seeing new fields opened in which to 
sow the seeds of righteousness ; and even the man without profes- 
sion, science, or zeal, — the perfectly idle, could not be without 
interest in a voyage of discovery, since the gratification of curiosity 
is an object of at least, as much concern with them as with any other 
class of men. Considering, thus, a voyage for the investigation of 
new countries as of extensive interest and importance, it was with 
difficulty I could be convinced that there were people who thought 
it of none ; orx)f so little, that the putting a stop to it, imprisoning 
the commander and seizing his charts and papers, required no more 
