Providence thought proper to order it otherwise. The repairs the ship wanted caused a delay of near 10 weeks, in which time we contracted sicknesses, that here, and on our passage to the Cape of Good Hope, carried off above thirty of my people. The reminder of the voyage was attended with no material circumstance. If any interesting circumstance should occur to me, that I have omitted, I will hereafter acquaint you with it. I however expect, that my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty will very soon publish the whole Voyage, Charts, &c. Another voyage is thought of, with two ships; which, if it takes place, I believe the command will be conferred upon me.—If there is any thing that I can inform you of, in regard to my late voyage, I shall take a pleasure in it: and believe me to be
Your Obliged Servt.
Jams. Cook.
These letters may give us an idea of those partial notices of his voyage, which Captain Cook communicated to his particular friends, previous to the publication of the entire narrative. The latter was looked for by the public with intense interest; and it is not surprising, that unauthorised attempts were made to gratify such eager curiosity. One of these anticipations of Cook's narrative was entitled, "A Journal of a Voyage round the World." This must have been the work of some one connected with the expedition; and although the account which it contained was comparatively dry and meagre, it was received with eagerness. A copy of the Journal of Mr. Parkinson, the property of Mr. Banks, his employer, having been
