Modern voyages of discovery, for scientific objects.—Voyage to the South Sea, for observing the transit of Venus, projected. Cook appointed to conduct it, with the rank of Lieutenant. Equipment of his ship, the Endeavour. His Officers and assistants. Mr. Ranks, Dr. Solander, with other scientific gentlemen, accompany him. Arrival at Madeira, with some notice of the inhabitants. Arrival at Rio Janeiro: illiberal conduct of the Viceroy of Brazil. Arrival at Strait Le Maire. Perilous excursion in Terra del Fuego : some account of the natives. Notices respecting the Strait of Le Maire, and that of Magellan. Passage round Cape Horn, and into the Pacific. Discovery of several small islands. Arrival at Otaheite.
The deliberations of the Royal Society in 1767 and the beginning of 1768, seconded by the liberality of the government, produced a result highly interesting to our navigator, opening to his enterprising genius a new and extensive sphere where he was destined to shine. At this period, and for some years before, the British government had the honour of instituting voyages of discovery very different from those of the early navigators. Expeditions of this kind were formerly set on foot for the purpose of conquest, the acquisition of territory and of wealth. But now commenced a new era in the annals of navigation, when voyages of discovery were undertaken for the interests of science; for acquiring a knowledge of the different seas, continents, and islands, on the face of our globe; and for ameliorating the condition of the savage tribes that might be discovered.
