IV 
INTRODUCTION. 
tions into untrodden paths in the Northern hemifphere, 
are, under the fame fancftion, now fubmitted to the Public 
in thefe Volumes. 
One great plan of nautical inveftigation having been 
purfued throughout, it is obvious, that the feveral voy¬ 
ages have a dole connexion, and that an exad recollec¬ 
tion of what had been aimed at, and effected, in thofe 
that preceded, will throw conliderable light on our pe¬ 
riod. With a view, therefore, to affift the Reader in form¬ 
ing a juft eftimate of the additional information conveyed 
by this Publication, it may not be improper to lay before 
him a lhort, though comprehenlive, abftrad of the prin¬ 
cipal objects that had been previoully accomplifhed, ar¬ 
ranged in fuch a manner, as may ferve to unite, into one 
point’ of view, the various articles which lie fcattered 
through the voluminous Journals already in the hands 
of the Public; thofe compiled by Dr. Hawlcefworth; and 
that which was written by Captain Cook himfelf. By 
thus Ihewing what had been formerly done, how much 
ftill remained for fubfequent examination, will be more ap¬ 
parent ; and it will be better underftood on what grounds, 
though the fhips of his Majefty had already circumnavi¬ 
gated the world five different times, in the courfe of 
about ten years, another voyage fliould ftill be thought 
expedient. 
There will be a farther ufe in giving fuch an abftraCt a 
place in this Introduction. The plan of dilcovery, carried 
on in fo many fucceflive expeditions, being now, we may 
take upon us to fay, in a great meafure completed; by 
fumming up the final refult, we fliall be better able to do 
juftice to the benevolent purpofes it was defigned to anfwer; 
and a folid foundation will be laid, on which we may build 
a fa- 
