sailed. Much time was required for engraving the Plates, 63 in number, the expense of which, amounting to £2000, was liberally defrayed by the government. Yet this was not the sole cause of delay. Forster the naturalist (who had acquired the title L.L.D.) claimed the honour of drawing up the account of the voyage, and his claim was so far allowed, that it was for some time intended to come out as the joint production of Capt. Cook and Dr. Forster; the former supplying the narrative, the latter a variety of philosophical observations, and both having an equal share in the profits of the work. An agreement to this effect was drawn up in April, 1776; but, after examining some specimens of the Doctor's work, the Lords of the Admiralty very judiciously resolved, that Cook's narrative should appear by itself, and Forster's observations form a separate volume; at the same time securing to the Doctor his share in the profits of the plates. The Captain, who sailed within less than three months after this decision, left his work ready for the press, and engaged his friend Dr. Douglas, afterwards Bishop of Carlisle, to superintend the printing; yet it did not come forth till the month of May, 1777.
In the mean time, unauthorized attempts were made, as before, to gratify the public curiosity. Towards the close of 1775, a "Journal of the Resolution's voyage &c.," appeared, in the form of an 8vo volume, of above 300 pages, price 5s. It must have been a journal which some one on board had secreted, when other documents of that kind were delivered up; and it gives a pretty fair account of the leading events of the voyage, whilst in some particulars it is glaringly incorrect. A small
