HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
361 
INTRODUCTION 
To the following Chart of the Ethiopian Sea. 
As it is necessary, for the better understanding of the extracts I have given, to 
annex a Chart of that part of the Indian Ocean, which it has been my object to 
illustrate, I have selected, by preference, that of M. d’Apres, on whose informa¬ 
tion I have principally depended for the Maritime part of this Work, and the 
Charts of the Isle of France. The Astronomical and Maritime Observations of 
the two celebrated French Academicians, M. l’Abbe de la Caille, and M. Le Gentil, 
which I add, with those of the Abbe Rochon, will still further illustrate those of 
M. d’Apres, if recourse is also had to the learned Memoirs and Charts of Mr. 
Dalrymple, and Major Rennell. 
As I am not a navigator, and as my work is not designed particularly to be a 
guide to pilots, history being its principal object, I do not consider myself as answer- 
able for any errors that may be found in the Memoirs of the great men I have cited; 
if we can call error , what is merely want of more information, or of a complete 
knowledge of all the points,and rocks dispersed on the surface of the universe. Such 
advantages can only be obtained by length of time, and by the indefatigable and 
successive exertions of such men, encouraged by their governments. 
The following paragraph, taken from the introduction to the memoirs of Mr. 
Dalrymple, will, I hope, enforce and explain this observation. 
<c I find many people, from inaccuracy of expression, too frequently call the 
tf charts and plans published by me, my Charts :—to prevent the injustice which 
“ would arise from such a conclusion, upon a comparison of the various plates 
f< where the names of latitudes are discordant, it cannot be too strongly enforced, 
“ that such latitudes and names, are not what I have assigned, or supposed the true; 
“ but what are in the originals , for which I am in no degree responsible , and they 
“ must entirely rest on the authority of the author.” 
It will be perceived, among other corrections, that the Isle of Roquepiz y men¬ 
tioned in this Chart, as being situate in io° 30'latitude. Sc c. according to the account 
of Davis, in Lancaster’s Journal, i$ totally effaced from the modem charts; and 
3 A 
