It Was First
Proposed, We Are Told, That A Single Narrative Should Be Composed From
His And Cook's Papers, The Important Observations Of Each Being
Inserted, And Ascertained By Appropriate Marks.
Forster, in
consequence, received a part of Cook's journal, and drew up several
sheets as a specimen; but this
Plan was soon desisted from, as it was
thought more expedient that the two journals should be kept separate.
In fartherance, then, of this design, it is said, an agreement was
drawn up on the 13th of April, 1776, between Captain Cook and Mr
Forster, in the presence, and with the signature, of the Earl of
Sandwich, which specified the particular parts of the relations to be
prepared by each, and confirmed to both, jointly, the gift of the
valuable plates engraved at the expence of the Admiralty, and
generously bestowed on these two gentlemen in equal shares. Mr F. soon
afterwards presented a second specimen of his narrative to the Earl of
Sandwich, but was surprised to find that it was quite disapproved of,
though at last he was convinced that, as the word "narrative" had been
omitted in the above-mentioned agreement, he was not entitled to
compose a connected account of the voyage. He was, moreover, informed,
that if he chose to preserve his claim to half of the profits arising
from the plates, he must conform to the letter of that agreement. In
this he acquiesced for the benefit of his family; and accordingly,
though he had understood it was intended he should write the history
of the voyage, he found himself confined to the publication of his
unconnected philosophical observations. G. Forster adds, it hurt him
much to see the chief intent of his father's mission defeated, and the
public disappointed in their expectations of a philosophical recital
of facts; however, as he himself had been appointed his father's
assistant, and was bound by no such agreement as that which restrained
him, he thought it incumbent to attempt such a narrative as a duty to
the public, and in justice to the ample materials he had collected
during the voyage. "I was bound," he concludes, "by no agreement
whatever; and that to which my father had signed, did not make him
answerable for my actions, nor, in the most distant manner, preclude
his giving me assistance. Therefore, in every important circumstance I
had leave to consult his journals, and have been enabled to draw up my
narrative with the most scrupulous attention to historical truth."
Such is the defence which Mr G. Forster sets up in behalf of a
conduct, which it is certain was very differently construed by the
patrons of the expedition, whose indignant opinions were so far
regarded by the public, as to render the residence of both father and
son in England no longer pleasant or respectable. They left it and
went to the continent; though it is likely they were the more induced
to do so by certain family difficulties, and the ill effects of the
father's turbulent temper, which speedily lost him the friends his
uncommon abilities and erudition had procured. The reader who desires
information respecting these two singular men, and the sentiments
entertained in general as to their improper conduct in the matter of
the publication, may turn to the Supplement to the Encyclopaedia
Britannica. It is, however, but justice to inform him, that the
account there given, bears decisive indications of party bias in more
senses than one; and that the strongest assertions it contains as to
the share which Forster the father had in the publication, are not
supported on evidence sufficient for the conviction of any
unprejudiced mind. The writer of that article, as of several others in
that very valuable publication, appears to have given up his
imagination to the prevailing terrors of the times, and to have
become, at last, almost incapable of discriminating betwixt personal
delinquency and epidemic immorality - the misfortunes incident to
individuals in every age or country, and the evils arising out of the
erroneous creeds and systems of a particular time and place. A single
quotation from the article now alluded to, may be conducive to the
reader's favourable acceptance of that portion of the Forsters'
labours from which it is proposed to supply many of the succeeding
notes. "An account of the voyage was published in English and German,
by George Forster; and the language, which is correct and elegant, was
undoubtedly his; but those who knew both him and his father, are
satisfied that the matter proceeded from the joint stock of their
observations and reflections. Several parts of the work, and
particularly the elaborate investigations relative to the languages
spoken by the natives of the South Sea Islands, and the speculations
concerning their successive migrations, are thought to be strongly
impressed with the genius of the elder Forster." Before concluding
this note, it may be proper to say, that Mr Wales conceiving Mr G.
Forster had made some misrepresentations of certain facts, wrote some
remarks upon his book, to which Mr F. replied. This is said on the
authority of the Biog. Brit. for the writer himself has never seen
either of the productions alluded to. That work very candidly admits,
that the Forsters' books contain much curious and useful information.
It is probable, then, that the readers in general will concur with the
writer in discarding entirely all consideration of moral conduct as to
the agreement, and availing themselves of whatever of utility or
amusement the publication in question can afford. - E.
[2] The same day we observed several flying fishes, pursued by bonitos
and dolphins, rising out of the water in order to escape from them.
They were flying in all directions, and not against the wind only, as
Mr Kalm seems to think. Neither did they confine themselves to a
strait-lined course, but frequently were seen to describe a curve.
When they met the top of a wave as they skimmed along the surface of
the ocean, they passed through, and continued their flight beyond it.
From this time, till we left the torrid zone, we were almost daily
amused with the view of immense shoals of these fishes, and now and
then caught one upon our decks, when it had unfortunately taken its
flight too far, and was spent by its too great elevation above the
surface of the sea." - G.F.
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