the Arctic itegions. £91 
Spitzbergen, of Greenland, and in the Straits of Davis and 
Hudson. The mode of conducting it is so different in some re- 
spects from the fishery in the open sea, as to demand a separate 
description. This treatise may not be applicable to navigation 
in general ; but no person who would speculate, or become 
practically engaged, in the whale-fishery, should pass it over, if 
he wishes to reap the greatest advantage from his speculations, 
or his labours. All the chapters and their subdivisions, in this 
second part, relate to the same object ; and as it would be use- 
less to analyse each chapter or its subdivisions, we shall content 
ourselves with a summary of what is best adapted to shew the 
manner in which the author treats his subject ; taking especial 
care to preserve the connection of ideas, which is as conspicuous 
in this second, as in the first volume. 
A chronological history of the whale-fishery occurs in the be- 
ginning of the second part; and the author immediately afterwards 
glances ^t the origin and progress of this fishery, and its actual 
state among the different maritime nations that have successively 
pursued it. This introduction, which appears solely applicable 
to the history of the whale-fishery, is not compiled merely to 
satisfy curiosity; From documents that seem entitled to credit, 
the author has given an estimate of the profits which each na- 
tion has derived from the fishery at certain periods, in such a 
manner, that one can trace its progress, among each people, 
from its commencement to the period of its highest success ; 
and also perceive the causes of its decline. It is remarkable 
that the English, who have carried this trade to a higher pitch 
than any other nation, were the last to begin it, and have even, 
applied to it but very recently. The real cradle of the whale- 
fishery is Biscay, tlie conterminous provinces of France and 
Spain ; and it may be presumed, that these two neighbouring 
nations were the first who pursued it, though they have since 
almost entirely abandoned it. They, however, instructed the 
Dutch in the art of the whale-fishery ; and they, in their turn, 
have imparted it to the seamen of England. This latter coun^ 
try had much difficulty in establishing it ; disastrous expedi- 
tions in its commencement almost annihilated it ; but at lengthy 
aided by large capitals^ and sustained by perseverance, England 
has in the end surpassed all its masters. The historical part 
T £ 
