то CAPTAIN PENNY, OF THE MERCANTILe marine, THE CRADLE OF CAPTAIN COOK, THIS VOLUME IS INSCRIBED, IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF HIS ZEALOUS SERVICES IN THE ARCTIC SEAS IN 1850-51, WHEN COMMANDING H.M. BRIGS 'LADY FRANKLIN" AND "SOPHIA," EMPLOYED ON THE SEARCH FOR "SIR JOHN FRANKLIN," "CROZIER," AND "FITZJAMES,' AND THE LOST CREWS OF H.M. SHIPS EREBUS AND TERROR: " " 66 PREFACE. THE Editor of this little book is desirous of availing himself of the opportunity of expressing to the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty his thanks for the kind and most ready permission granted to him to inspect the documents in office relating to Cook's Voyages, as well as his Correspondence, and to make any extracts therefrom which he might think desirable. By this liberality he is enabled to present to the world many interesting letters not hitherto published, and which will be found to be remarkable for their perspicuity. His thanks are also due to Mr. Nelson Houghton, Keeper of the Records, for the facilities kindly afforded to him. The Editor having had occasion repeatedly to refer to Captain Cook's Log Books, cannot forbear a passing tribute of admiration at the beautiful manner in which they have been kept, in his own handwriting, amidst the multifarious duties, anxiety, and toil inseparable upon voyages of discovery in unknown seas,— equalled, perhaps but not surpassed-by those of Sir Edward Parry, also in the Records of the Admiralty. In one of Cook's Log Books is a circular chart of the southern hemisphere (showing the ship's track), upheld by two figures, with the appropriate motto "Ipsa subibo humeris; nec me labor ipse gravabit.” |