INTRODUCTION. 
and good conduct, which conftitute the eflence of real 
civilization.—It is by very flow degrees, and through long 
periods of intervening ages, that nations, now the moft po¬ 
ll died, have arrived at their prefent Rate.-—The mind of in- 
qnifitive man, too eager after knowledge which his limited 
faculties can never reach, often idly afks —Wherefore allthefe 
varied gradations in human exiftencef But his queftion will 
remain for ever unanfwered, and he muft content himfelf 
with being fatisfied that the ways of Providence are con¬ 
duced with unerring wifdom, to anfwer purpofes beyond 
mortal comprehenfion.—He will be far more wifely employed 
in feeling, with becoming gratitude, that he was not deftin- 
ed himfelf to be an inhabitant of Terra del Fuego, or to 
add one to the number of the forlorn favages of the Nor¬ 
thern Pole. 
There is one queflion, indeed, and a very important one, 
which poflibly may, at fome future period, be fuccefsfully 
inveftigated;—how all the numerous iflands, lately difco- 
vered, as well as the multitude of others, that are fcattered 
through various parts of the vaft ocean, were originally 
peopled ?—This fubjeC, which opens a wide field for con¬ 
jecture to range over, hath already exercifed the abilities 
of the ingenious—and, if ever fatisfaCorily afcertained, can¬ 
not fail to throw many interefling lights on the hiflcry of 
mankind. 
The prefent account of the Pelew Iflands, I have already 
obferved. 
