THERE is scarcely any thing from which the
natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification , than from the accounts of distant countries and nations. Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world. With regard to information of this kind, the moderns have eminently the advantage over the ancients. The ancients could neither pursue their enquiries with the same accuracy, nor carry them on to the fame extent. Travelling by land was much more inconvenient and dangerous than it hath been in later times; and, as navigation was principally confined to coasting, it muss necessarily have been circumscribed within very narrow limits.
The invention of the compass, seconded by
the ardent and enterprizing spirit of several able
men, was followed by wonderful discoveries. Vasco di Gama doubled the Cape of Good Hope and a new way being thus found out to the East Indies, the countries in that part of the earth became more accurately and extensively known. Another world was discovered by Columbus; and, at length, Magalhaens accomplished the arduous and hitherto , unattempted task of failing round the globe. At different periods, he was succeeded by other circumnavigators, of whom it is no part of the present narrative to give an account.
The spirit of discovery, which was so vigorous
during the latter end of the fifteenth and through
the whole of the sixteenth century , began, soon after the commencement of the seventeenth century, to decline. Great navigations were only occasionally undertaken , and more from the immediate views of avarice or war, than from any noble and generous principles. But of late years they have been revived, with the enlarged and benevolent design of promoting the happiness of the human species.
A beginning of this kind was made in the reign
of King George the Second , during which two
voyages were performed ; the first under the
command of Captain Middleton, and the next
under the direction of Captains Smith and Moore, in order to discover a North - west passage, through Hudson's Bay . It was reserved, however, for the glory of the present reign to carry the spirit of discovery to its height, and to conduct; it on the noblest principles; not for the purposes of covetousness or ambition; not to plunder or destroy the inhabitants of newly-explored countries ; but to improve their condition , to instruct them in the arts of life, and to extend the boundaries of science.
No sooner was peace restored, in 1763, than
these laudable designs engaged his Majesty's patronage; and two voyages round the world had been undertaken, before Mr. Cook set out on his first command. The conductors of these voyages were the Captains Byron, Wallis, and Carteret , by whom several discoveries were made, which contributed, in no small degree, to increase the knowledge of geography and navigation. Nevertheless, as the purpose for which they were sent out appears to have had a principal reference to a particular object in the South Atlantic , the direct track they were obliged to hold, on their way homeward by the East Indies, prevented them from doing so much as might otherwise have been expected towards giving the world a complete view of that immense expanse of Ocean which the South Pacific comprehends.