- E.
[5] See our account of this voyage in vol. x. It was perhaps more
fruitful in discoveries of islands, than any preceding expedition, and
was remarkable, besides, for the small loss of lives during its
continuance, viz. only three men. The interesting enough discovery of
the Strait which bears the name of Le Maire, would have been
sufficient to signalize the spirited undertaking of that merchant. Nor
can it be any thing to his discredit, considering his
circumstances and profession, that he had his golden dreams about a
southern counterpoise. Technical habits might readily suggest to him
the propriety of an exact balance. - E.
[6] A note has been given in vol. xiii. respecting Tasman's voyage.
His discoveries were undoubtedly of some importance, and deserve
particular notice in a collection; as such, an opportunity, it is
expected, will occur for effecting it, either entire from Valentyn's
relation, or in abstract from various authorities. - E.
[7] See what has been said on this subject in our account of Byron's
voyage, vol. xii. p. 47. - E.
[8] The results of Dr Halley's voyage were communicated to the Royal
Society of London, and constitute part, certainly an interesting part,
of their published papers. If is rather to be wondered at, that Cook
has not made mention of some other voyages of discovery about this
period, especially Dampier's, of which, as well as of some more, the
reader will find an account in our 10th volume. - E.
[9] See Waifer's description of the Isthmus of Darien.
[10] See our relation of Commodore Roggewein's voyage in the 11th vol.
of this Collection. - E.
[11] It seems impossible to doubt for a moment, the validity of Cook's
evidence against Bouvet's alleged discovery of land, above alluded to.
In the present day, there is nothing like a whisper insinuated to its
disparagement; and accordingly the name of Bouvet is never mentioned
as a discoverer. The reader need scarcely be reminded of the position
which our accounts of the following voyage occupy in this Collection,
viz. the 12th and 13th volumes. - E.
[12] Footnote in the 1st ed. In the account given of St Helena in the
narrative of my former voyage, I find two mistakes. Its inhabitants
are far from exercising a wanton cruelty over their slaves, and they
have had wheel-carriages and porters' knots for many years.
[13] A satisfactory account of Surville's Voyage is given in
Berenger's Collection, vol. vi. published at Paris, 1790, of which, if
our limits allow it, we may furnish the reader with an abstract.
