The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. V. Being the First of the Third Voyage

The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. V. Being the First of the Third Voyage

The spirit of discovery, which had long animated the European nations, having, after its arduous and successful exertions during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, gradually subsided, and for a considerable time lain dormant, began to revive in Great Britain in the late reign[1]; and recovered all its former activity, under the cherishing influence, and munificent encouragement, of his present Majesty. Soon after his accession to the throne, having happily closed the destructive operations of war, he turned his thoughts to enterprizes more humane, but not less brilliant, adapted to the season of returning peace. While every liberal art, and useful study, flourished under his patronage at home, his superintending care was extended to such branches of knowledge as required distant examination and inquiry; and his ships, after bringing back victory and conquest from every quarter of the known world, 4were now employed in opening friendly communications with its hitherto unexplored recesses. In the prosecution of an object so worthy of the Monarch of a great commercial people, one voyage followed another in close succession; and we may add, in regular gradation. What Byron[2] had begun, Wallis[3] and Carteret[4] soon improved. Their success gave birth to a far more extensive plan of discovery, carried into execution, in two subsequent voyages, conducted by Cook.[5] And that nothing might be left unattempted, though much had been already done, the same commander, whose professional skill could only be equalled by the persevering diligence with which he had exerted it, in the course of his former researches, was called upon, once more, to resume, or rather to complete, the survey of the globe. Accordingly, another voyage was undertaken in 1776; which, though last in the order of time, was far from being the least considerable, with respect to the extent and importance of its objects; yet, still, far less fortunate than any of the former, as those objects were not accomplished, but at the expence of the valuable life of its conductor. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 62095
Author: Cook, James
Release Date: May 11, 2020
Format: eBook
Language: English