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THIS “O-P BOOK” IS AN AUTHORIZED REPRINT OF THE ORIGINAL EDITION, PRODUCED BY MICROFILM-XEROX BY UNIVERSITY MICROFILMS, INC., ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, 1961
SIR RODERICK IMPEY MURCHISON, G.C.St.S., F.R.S., Corr. Mem. Inst. Fr., Hon. Mem. Imp. Acad. Sc. St. Petersburg, &c., &c.
VICE-ADMIRAL SIR CHARLES MALCOLM, KT. THE REV. H. H. MILMAN, M.A.
CHARLES T. BEKE, ESQ., PHIL. D., F.S.A. CAPT. C. R. D. BETHUNE, R.N., C.B. CAPT. F. P. BLACKWOOD, R.N. MAJ.-GEN. J. BRIGGS, F.R.S. BOLTON CORNEY, ESQ., M.R.S.L. SIR HENRY ELLIS, K.H., F.R.S. JOHN FORSTER, ESQ. J. E. GRAY, ESQ., F.R.S. JOHN WINTER JONES, ESQ. R. H. MAJOR, ESQ. R. MONCKTON MILNES, ESQ., M.P. CHARLES NEWTON, ESQ. REV. G. C. RENOUARD, M.A. W. B. RYE, ESQ. SIR ROBERT SCHOMBURGK. ANDREW SMITH, ESQ., M.D. SIR GEORGE T. STAUNTON, BART, M.P., F.R.S.
THE HAKLUYT SOCIETY, which is established for the purpose of printing rare or unpublished Voyages and Travels, aims at opening by this means an easier access to the sources of a branch of knowledge, which yields to none in importance, and is superior to most in agreeable variety. The narratives of travellers and navigators make us acquainted with the earth, its inhabitants and productions; they exhibit the growth of intercourse among mankind, with its effects on civilization, and, while instructing, they at the same time awaken attention, by recounting the toils and adventures of those who first explored unknown and distant regions.
The advantage of an Association of this kind, consists not merely in its system of literary co-operation, but also in its economy. The acquirements, taste, and discrimination of a number of individuals, who feel an interest in the same pursuit, are thus brought to act in voluntary combination, and the ordinary charges of publication are also avoided, so that the volumes produced, are distributed among the Members (who can alone obtain them) at little more than the cost of printing and paper. The Society expends nearly the whole of its funds in printing works for the Members; and since the cost of each copy varies inversely as the whole number of copies printed, it is obvious that the Members are gainers individually by the prosperity of the Society, and the consequent vigour of its operations.