It Is
Remarkable, As Being Partly Planned By The Celebrated Law Of
Lauriston.
A relation of Kerguelen's voyage, which was made in 1771,
2, and 3, was published at Paris in 1781, and, according to the Bib.
Univ.
Des Voy. is become scarce. The writer is quite ignorant of its
value. Marion was killed by the savages of New Zealand; after his
death, the voyage was carried on by M. Ducleneur, under whom the
principal observations were made in the South Sea. The account of this
voyage was published at Paris in 1783. The reader will easily believe,
therefore, that Captain Cook could not have profited by any of these
three expeditions. - E.
[14] Till the discovery of what has been denominated Galvanism, it was
difficult, if not impossible, to explain the circumstance alluded to
in the text, that copper corrodes the iron work of vessels. Now, it is
thought there is no mystery in the matter. But, in truth, we have only
been enabled by more certain observation to classify the fact with
several others of a like nature, and all perhaps equally inexplicable.
The application of new names to old things, will scarcely pass with
any philosopher, for a discovery. On the other hand, it is certain,
that the invention of means by which new powers are produced, is
justly entitled to that distinction. It is impossible to withhold this
praise from Galvani and some of his followers. - E.
[15] Both of these gentlemen published works respecting this second
voyage of Cook, to which we shall have occasion to refer in the notes.
That of the former is entitled, "Observations made during a Voyage
round the World, on Physical Geography, Natural History, and Ethic
Philosophy, &c.," and was published at London in 1778, 4to.; that of
the latter is, properly speaking, a full relation of the voyage, and
appeared in two volumes 4to., at London, the year before. There is
good reason for saying. that no account of this voyage can be held
complete, that is not materially aided by these two productions,
which, with sundry imperfections, and perhaps vices, have very
great merit, and are highly interesting. They are accordingly, as well
as the work of Mr Wales, freely used for the purpose of this
collection. - E.
[16] Many readers may desire to know what kind of instruments Captain
Cook alludes to above. The following list is taken from Mr Wales's
work, which, from the nature of it, has been rarely looked into by any
but scientific men.
1. A portable observatory. 2. An astronomical clock, made by Mr
Shelton. 3. An assistant clock, made by Mr Monk. 4. A transit
instrument, made by Mr Bird. 5. An astronomical quadrant, by the same
excellent artist. 6. A reflecting telescope, of two feet focal length,
by ditto. 7. An achromatic refracting telescope, of three and a half
feet, and triple object glass, made by Mr Dollond. 8. A Hadley's
sextant, by ditto. 9. Another, by Mr Ramsden. 10.
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