tiality to Captain Cook; but insinuates, that the latter was incapable of writing a proper narrative of the voyage, that the forthcoming work was only said to be his, and that "the public must again converse with him by means of an interpreter." When the authorized narrative itself appeared, in two Volumes 4to. (price £2 12s. 6d.), the injustice of such illiberal reflections was made manifest. It was obviously the Captain's own composition; and instead of proving a dry detail of nautical matters, it was found, as the Monthly Review justly observed, to be "a well digested narrative, accompanied with observations on men and things, that would do credit even to a philosopher, or a writer by profession; and clothed in a natural and manly style." As a composition, it even exceeded. the anticipations of his friends. His style, like his own character, is clear, simple, and nervous. Forster's work, indeed, has more of elegance and ornament; Cook's is more distinguished for plainness, strength, and utility. In the latter, as might be expected, there are more inaccuracies, and fewer beauties, than in the former; yet Cook always expresses himself well, his style is easy, as well as manly; and, on the whole, its very simplicity gives it a charm, which a more polished mode of writing would scarcely have possessed. His General Introduction, which, from the variety of matter comprised in it, must have cost him much labour, was finished only a few days before he set sail on his new expedition. It closes with the following modest remarks, which are the more interesting and valuable, as being among the last which he wrote in his native land.
"And now it may be necessary to say, that as I
