An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies

An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies - Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape

How much of the present Knowledge of the Parts of the World is owing to late Discoveries, may be judged by comparing the Modern with the Ancients Accounts thereof; though possibly many such Histories may have been written in former Ages, yet few have scaped the Injury of Time, so as to be handed safe to us. Twas many Ages possibly before Writing was known, then known to a few, and made use of by fewer, and fewest employed it to this purpose. Add to this, that such as were written, remaind for the most part Imprisond in the Cells of some Library or Study, accessible to a small number of Mankind, and regarded by a less, which after perished with the Place or the Decay of their own Substance. This we may judge from the loss of those many Writings mentioned by Pliny and other of the Ancients. And we had yet found fewer, if the Art of Printing, first Invented about 240 years since, had not secured most that lasted to that time. Since which, that Loss has been repaired by a vast number of new Accessions, which besides the Satisfaction they have given to Curious and Inquisitive Men by increasing their Knowledge, have excited many more to the like Attempts, not only of Making but of Publishing also their Discoveries. But I am not ignorant still; that as Discoveries have been this way preserved, so many others nave been lost, to the great Detriment of the Publick. It were very desirable therefore that the Causes of these and other Defects being known, some Remedies might be found to prevent the like Losses for the future. The principal Causes I conceive may be these; First, The want of sufficient Instructions (to Seamen and Travellers,) to shew them what is pertinent and considerable, to be observd in their Voyages and Abodes, and how to make their Observations and keep Registers or Accounts of them. Next, The want of some Publick Incouragement for such as shall perform such Instructions. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 14346
Author: Knox, Robert
Release Date: Dec 13, 2004
Format: eBook
Language: English