His Journal Only Required To Be Divided Into Chapters,
And Perhaps To Be Amended By A Few Verbal Corrections.
It is not
speaking extravagantly to say, that, in point of composition, his
history of his voyage reflects upon him no small degree of credit.
His
style is natural, clear, and manly; being well adapted to the subject
and to his own character: and it is possible, that a pen of more
studied elegance would not have given any additional advantage to the
narration. It was not till some time after Captain Cook's leaving
England, that the work was published; but, in the meanwhile, the
superintendance of it was undertaken by his learned and valuable
friend, Dr Douglas, whose late promotion to the mitre hath afforded
pleasure to every literary man of every denomination." One cannot help
regretting, that Cook never returned to meet with the congratulations
of a highly-satisfied public, not invidiously disposed, it may readily
be imagined, and certainly having no occasion, to see any necessity
for the requested indulgences with which he concludes this
introduction. - E.
[18] Is it not both likely and somewhat allowable, that Cook should
speak of the fine writer and professed book-maker, with
a feeling of disgust or irritation; more especially when he could not
but well remember, that his own simple personality had been made the
substratum for the flippant flourish of the one character, and the
unseemly protuberances of the other? - E.
CHAPTER I.[1]
FROM OUR DEPARTURE FROM ENGLAND TO LEAVING THE SOCIETY ISLES THE FIRST
TIME.
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