The motion of the earth about its axis is uniform, and quite unaffected by the irregularities on its surface or of its density.  This is a fact to be admitted, not an opinion to be proved.  But in point of reasoning, it is quite demonstrable, that the highest mountain on the surface of the earth, bears no larger a proportion to the magnitude of the earth, than a grain of sand does to that of one of our largest globes, and can have no more effect on its motion:  Besides, as is noticed by Mr Wales, every body will be in equilibrio, however irregular, when it is suspended or revolves on a line passing through its centre of gravity, and will not have either its rest or motion disturbed by any irregularities lying in the direction of that line, which may be safely supposed the case with our earth.  The simple addition of any fluid matter to a body so circumstanced, will not cause any aberration, as it will distribute itself in the parts nearest to the centre of gravity, without regard to the centre of the body, which may or may not be the same.  The principal tracts of both land and sea may be held to extend from the North towards the South Pole, and are accordingly in the direction of the earth’s axis.  Obviously, therefore, there is no necessity for a southern continent to answer as a counterpoise; and it is even conceivable that the matter in the regions of the South Pole, is specifically lighter than that of any other part, in perfect consistency with what is known of the earth’s motion.  The reasons of a different kind from what have now been mentioned, for the existence of southern lands, fall to be elsewhere considered.—­E.

[2] An account of the voyage performed by Magalhaens, is given in vol. x. of this collection.  The discoveries made by that enterprising man in the South Pacific Ocean, were far from being very important; but the expedition in which he unfortunately lost his life, will ever be memorable in the pages of history, as the first circumnavigation of the world.—­E.

[3] Mr Dalrymple has collected together the few existing notices of Spanish voyages of discovery, betwixt the times of those performed by Magalhaens and Mendana.  Though by no means considerable in bulk, they are too numerous to be detailed in this place.  It is very probable, that the Spanish government continued from mere habit to reserve the more perfect memorials, after all the views of policy which first occasioned their being withheld from the public, had been abandoned.  The affairs of that ill-fated kingdom have been long very unfavourable to the investigations, which certainly unimportant curiosity might prompt on the subject—­E.

[4] Two relations have been given of Mendana’s voyage; one by Quiros above-mentioned, in a letter to Don Antonio Morga, lieutenant-general of the Phillipines, when Quiros landed at Manila, which was inserted in a work published at Mexico in 1609; and the other contained in Thevenot’s