A General History & Collection of Voyages and Travels ... - Nauticus

the character of an author, perfectly concurs with what the writer has elsewhere said on the subject;and it may deserve a place here, as a commendatory testimony, which the modesty of Cook, it isprobable, would scarcely have allowed himself to expect. It is inserted, besides, with greaterpropriety, as specifying one of the friends alluded to, of whom, in the capacity of editor of Cook'sthird voyage, we shall have another opportunity of speaking with the esteem due to his literarycharacter, and his most praise-worthy exertions in the service of both Cook and his family. "CaptainCook was justly regarded as sufficiently qualified to relate his own story. His journal only requiredto be divided into chapters, and perhaps to be amended by a few verbal corrections. It is notspeaking extravagantly to say, that, in point of composition, his history of his voyage reflects uponhim no small degree of credit. His style is natural, clear, and manly; being well adapted to thesubject and to his own character: and it is possible, that a pen of more studied elegance would nothave given any additional advantage to the narration. It was not till some time after Captain Cook'sleaving England, that the work was published; but, in the meanwhile, the superintendance of it wasundertaken by his learned and valuable friend, Dr Douglas, whose late promotion to the mitre hathafforded pleasure to every literary man of every denomination." One cannot help regretting, thatCook never returned to meet with the congratulations of a highly-satisfied public, not invidiouslydisposed, it may readily be imagined, and certainly having no occasion, to see any necessity for therequested indulgences with which he concludes this introduction.--E.I shall therefore conclude this introductory discourse with desiring the reader to excuse the inaccuracies ofstyle, which doubtless he will frequently meet with in the following narrative; and that, when such occur,he will recollect that it is the production of a man, who has not had the advantage of much schooleducation, but who has been constantly at sea from his youth; and though, with the assistance of a fewgood friends, he has passed through all the stations belonging to a seaman, from an apprentice boy in thecoal trade, to a post-captain in the royal navy, he has had no opportunity of cultivating letters. After thisaccount of myself, the public must not expect from me the elegance of a fine writer, or the plausibility of aprofessed book-maker; but will, I hope, consider me as a plain man, zealously exerting himself in theservice of his country, and determined to give the best account he is able of his proceedings.[18] JAMESCOOK.Plymouth Sound, July 7, 1776.[18] Is it not both likely and somewhat allowable, that Cook should speak of the fine writer andprofessed book-maker, with a feeling of disgust or irritation; more especially when he could not butwell remember, that his own simple personality had been made the substratum for the flippantflourish of the one character, and the unseemly protuberances of the other?--E.CHAPTER I.[1]FROM OUR DEPARTURE FROM ENGLAND TO LEAVING THE SOCIETY ISLES THE FIRSTTIME.[1] The reader is desired to remember, that F. placed at a note refers to Forster's Observations; G.F.to the younger Forster's Account of the Voyage; and W. to Mr Wales' works. For notes signed E. theeditor, as formerly, must hold himself responsible. Thus much was thought advisable to saveunnecessary repetition. This opportunity is taken of stating some circumstances respecting the twoformer works, of consequence to the parties concerned, and not uninteresting to the general reader.We are informed in the preface to G.F.'s work, that when his father was sent out to accompanyCaptain Cook as a naturalist, no particular rules were prescribed for his conduct, as they whoappointed him conceived he would certainly endeavour to derive the greatest possible advantages to