was an unfortunate example to adduce; for the officers and crews of the learned astronomer had slighted his authority, refused to obey his directions, and at last became so insolent and insubordinate, that, without having effected almost any thing, to use his own words, he "found it absolutely necessary" to return to England, and to incur the cost of a second expedition. These circumstances could not fail to be remembered by the lords of the Admiralty; and, when the representation of the society was laid before them, Sir Edward, afterward Lord Hawke, then at the head of the board, declared, "that his conscience would not allow him to trust any ship of his majesty to a person who had not regularly been bred a seaman." On the matter being again urged, he replied that he would rather have his right hand cut off than that it should sign any such commission; and Mr. Dalrymple, on the other part, was found equally determined not to proceed without it.

In this dilemma, Mr. Stephens suggested that another individual should be employed. With a discrimination which does him the highest honour, he had early appreciated the talents of Cook, who was now proposed by him as a person fully qualified for the undertaking, and one who had also been regularly educated in the navy. He appealed for a confirmation of his views to Sir Hugh Palliser, and that gentleman most warmly seconded the recommendation, which, fortunately for science, proved successful. Cook, then in his fortieth year, was appointed to conduct the expedition, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant by a commission dated the 25th of May, 1768.

The Admiralty having intrusted Sir Hugh with the selection of a suitable vessel, he called its future commander to his assistance, and proceeded to examine a great number of ships in the Thames. Even in this first step in the enterpise, its conductor displayed the discernment and sagacity for which he was afterward so remarkable. At that time there was much discussion regarding the size and kind of vessels most proper for such a voyage; some recommending East Indiamen, or heavy barks of forty guns; while others preferred large, good-sailing frigates, or three-decked ships, such as were then employed in the Jamaica trade. With that confidence in his own judgment which is the result of a strong and sound-thinking mind, Cook dissented from the views of both parties, and chose a bark built for the coal-trade, of the

1

burden of 370 tons. He at once saw that the qualities most essential were, that the ship should be of no great draught of water, yet of sufficient capacity to carry the requisite stores; of a construction that would bear to take the ground; and of such a size that she might, if necessary, be laid on shore for repair with safety and convenience. These properties, he remarks, are not to be found in either of the two classes proposed, "nor, indeed, in any other but north-country-built ships, or such as are built for the coal-trade, which are peculiarly adapted to this purpose. In such a vessel, an able sea-officer will be most venturesome, and better enabled to fulfil his instructions than he possibly can (or indeed than would be prudent for him to attempt) in one of any other sort or size."* He probably was not aware that his opinions on this subject coincided with those of the illustrious discoverer of the New World. Of the three ships that first crossed the Atlantic, one only was full decked, the others were caravels or light barks, little superior to the small coasting-craft of the present day. "It was not," says Mr. Irving, "for want of large vessels in the Spanish ports that those of Columbus were of so small a size. He considered them best adapted to voyages of discovery, as they required but little depth of water, and therefore could more easily and safely coast unknown shores and explore bays and rivers. He had some purposely constructed of a very small size for this service."+

Before the Endeavour could be completely fitted out, Wallis returned from his circumnavigation, and recommended Otaheite as the most eligible situation for observing the approaching transit. It had been proposed to make the observations at one of the Marquesas, or at the Island of Amsterdam, Middleburg, or Rotterdam; but this intention was now abandoned, and the Royal Society expressed to the Admiralty their wish to have the astronomers conveyed to Port Royal, in the newly-found island. The observers whom they selected were Mr. Green, assistant to Dr. Bradley in the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, and Lieutenant Cook.

During these preparations, permission to join the expedition was solicited by Mr, (afterward Sir Joseph) Banks, the well

* General Introd. to Second Voyage, p. xxv.

† Life of Columbus, vol. iv., p. 234. In his third voyage, when sailing along the shores of the Gulf of Paria, he complained of the size of his ship, which was "nearly a hundred tons burden."-Vol. i., p. 181.

known president of the Royal Society during a period of nearly fifty years.* The wish which he had expressed was at once acceded to, and he immediately made arrangements on the most extensive scale. He procured a large supply of such articles as were likely to be useful or acceptable in the countries he was to visit. He engaged to accompany him a Swedish naturalist, Dr. Solander, the favourite pupil of Linnæus ;† and besides a secretary and four servants, two of whom were negroes, he took out two draughtsmen, the one in the department of landscape, the other in natural history.

The Endeavour was victualled for eighteen months, and had on board ten carriage and twelve swivel guns. Her crew, besides the commander and other officers, consisted of fortyone able seamen, twelve marines, and nine servants-in all

eighty-five persons. The instructions given to Cook were, to proceed directly to Otaheite, and, after the astronomical observations should be completed, to prosecute the general design for discovery in the Pacific, in which Byron, Wallis, and Carteret had been employed. He was ordered to sail as far south as the latitude of 40°; if no land was found, he was then to steer to the west, between the fortieth and thirtyfifth parallels, till he encountered New Zealand, and having explored that country, he was to return to England by such route as he might think proper.

* Sir Joseph Banks was born at London, 13th February, 1743. He quitted Oxford in 1763, and three years thereafter made a voyage to Newfoundland. In 1778 he was elected president of the Royal Society; he was created a baronet in 1781, received the order of the Bath in 1795, and in 1802 was elected a foreign Associate of the National Institute of France. He died 19th May, 1820.

† Solander at this time held an appointment in the British Museum, Some interesting notices of him are given in the Edinburgh Cabinet Library, No. XVI., Lives of Eminent Zoologists, from Aristotle to Lin næus inclusive, p. 343-348,

CHAPTER IX.

First Circumnavigation of Cook.

Departure.-Adventure on Tierra del Fuego.-Discovery of Lagoon, Thrum Cap, Bow, The Groups, and Chain Islands.-Arrival at Otaheite.-Observation of the Trausit and Incidents during their Stay.Discovery of the Islands of Tethuroa, Huaheine, Uliatea, Otaha, Tubai, Bolabola, Maurua, and Oheteroa.-Makes the East Coast of New Zea land. Affrays with the Natives.-Doubles the North Cape.-Discovers Cook's Straits, and Circumnavigates the Islands.-Sails for the East Coast of New Holland.-Discovery of New South Wales. -Botany Bay. Intercourse with the Natives.-Port Jackson.-Dangerous Position of the Ship.-Reaches the most northerly Point of Australia.Rediscovery of Torres' Strait.-New Guinea.-Timor.-Batavia.Mortality among the Crew.-Arrival in England.

ON the 27th May, 1768, Lieutenant Cook hoisted his pendant on board the Endeavour, then lying in Deptford Yard, and on the 30th of July bore down the river and proceeded to Plymouth, whence he finally set sail on the 26th of August.

While at Madeira, which they reached on the 13th September, the navigators visited the convent of Santa Clara; and the simple nuns, hearing that some of the strangers were great philosophers, asked, among other questions, "When it would thunder?" and "Whether a spring of fresh water was to be found anywhere within the walls of the cloister?" The voyagers passed the Island of Teneriffe on the 23d, and observed, after the sun had sunk below the horizon, that the lofty peak still received his rays, and, while the rest of the island reposed in the darkest shades, glowed with a warmth of colour which no language could describe. As they pursued their course to Brazil, they had an opportunity of observing that luminous appearance of the sea which has so often excited the admiration of mariners. They anchored at Rio de Janeiro on the 13th November, but the jealousy of the Portuguese governor would only allow refreshments to be procured under the most rigorous restrictions; and his ignorance was such, that he could form no other notion of the purpose of the voyage than that it was to observe "the passing of the North Star through the South Pole !"

On quitting this port, Cook kept a look-out for Pepys'

Island; but nothing was perceived but a fog-bank, which at a distance closely resembled land. On the 11th January, 1769, he was in sight of Tierra del Fuego, and three days afterward entered Strait Le Maire.

The morning of the 16th was fair and mild, much like one of our bright days in May, and Mr. Banks landed with a party to explore the country. They commenced the ascent of a mountain, the lower region of which was covered with wood; this was succeeded by what seemed a plain, while the top consisted of bare rocks. About three o'clock they reached the second stage of the hill, which they discovered to be a swamp, overgrown with low bushes of birch, so interwoven and stiff that it was necessary to step over them, while at every exertion the foot sunk ankle-deep in the soil. The day now became cold and gloomy, and the wind swept down in sudden gusts, accompanied with snow. They still pressed on in good spirits, and had crossed about two thirds of the wooded morass, when Mr. Buchan, the landscape-painter, was seized with a fit of epilepsy. A fire having been kindled, he was left in charge of those who were most fatigued, while Mr. Banks, Dr. Solander, and Messrs. Green and Monkhouse, continued their ascent. By the time they reached the summit, the day was so far spent that it was hopeless to think of regaining the ship before night it was resolved, therefore, to build a hut in a wood at some distance, and the gentlemen last named were despatched to conduct those who had remained below to a spot from which all might advance together. It was nearly eight o'clock before the whole party were assembled at this rendezvous, chilled with the intense cold, but cheerful and in health-as Mr. Buchan had sufficiently recovered to attempt the remainder of the journey. There was still good daylight, and they set forward to reach the nearest valley-Mr. Banks walking last, to prevent any one from lingering behind. Dr. Solander, in crossing the mountains of his native land, had learned that fatigue and extreme cold frequently produce an irresistible desire for sleep, against which he now cautioned his companions, earnestly exhorting them to keep in motion, however painful the effort might be: "Whoever sits down," he warned them, "will sleep, and whoever sleeps will wake no more!" The doctor was himself the first that was affected with this inclination for repose; and so powerful was it, that he insisted on being suffered to lie down, and, in spite of every expostulation