Dr. Forster's own work, entitled, "Observations made during a Voyage round the World, on Physical Geography, Natural History, and Ethic Philosophy; especially on the Earth, its Strata, &c.," appeared in one volume 4to., in 1778. It contains a mass of valuable information, and interesting researches, concerning the human race, and the various departments of natural history. While it displays much talent and learning, no one who reads it can regret that it was published by itself, instead of being mixed up with Cook's narrative. To general readers, the metaphysical disquisitions, and favourite theories of the author, will be found to possess little interest; and instead of adorning the work of our navigator, they would rather have seemed to disfigure it. Yet, in a scientific point of view, Forster's Observations, as well as his son's narrative, may be regarded as of great value. Their philological remarks are more accurate than those of Cook, and in spelling Tahitian names and words, their orthography corresponds more with that of the Missionaries, who having resided for
that the intolerable vanity of the Forsters induced several of the officers to take a pleasure in mortifying them. Under the influence of mortified vanity, and disappointed. ambition, Mr. Forster, in June, 1778, published a most abusive Letter to the Earl of Sandwich, charging His Lordship with atrocious acts of injustice towards him and his father, and imputing these to the sinister influence of a favourite lady, Miss Ray, who was offended at being refused some of the beautiful birds, which Dr. Forster brought home and presented to the Queen. He also prefers charges of selfishness against Capt. Cook, which the latter could now have no opportunity of repelling. It is curious to observe, that he accuses Lord Sandwich of malice, in fixing the price of Cook's work so low as to injure the sale of his. It might have been retorted, that he took care to get the start of Cook's narrative, to injure its sale. Of the latter, however, according to Forster's statement, 3000 copies had then been sold.
