INTRODUCTION. 
IX 
larly to ascertain their sentiments relative to 
the gun-harpoon, to learn why that implement 
was not in more general use, and to inquire 
into the causes of the prejudice which existed 
in various quarters against its adoption. But 
I found it impossible to collect from their state- 
ments any satisfactory reason for the rejection 
of an instrument which had been strenuously 
patronised by the Society of Arts, Commerce, 
and Manufactures, and the excellence of which 
was self-evident. I could not resist the com 
jecture that the neglect of it must proceed 
from some cause, the knowledge of which was 
withheld from the proprietors in the concern, 
and I was convinced that they were sustaining 
great injury from the ignorance or prejudices 
of their subordinate agents. 
To ascertain a fact involving no less a con- 
sideration than the annual saving of immense 
sums to the nation, with the employment of 
many ships, seamen, and artificers, could only^ 
I found, be successfully attempted by a voyage 
in a whale ship, and I resolved to undertake 
