French collection, being, as Mr Dalrymple has remarked, a transcript from Figueroa’s history of Garcia Hurtado de Mendoca, and of less authority.  The discoveries of Quiros, real and supposed, have attracted very peculiar notice, and deservedly so.  Almost every collection specifies them.  That which the president de Brosses has given on the authority of several Spanish works, has been generally followed.  Mr Dalrymple is earnest in securing to this immortal name, the honour of discovering the southern continent.  It is most certain that he did discover something in the Pacific Ocean, but it never yet has been shewn, that this something any way corresponds with the wonderful description he thought proper to give of it, in his memorial to the Spanish king.  “Its longitude,” says he, (we copy from Mr Dalrymple’s translation) “is as much as that of all Europe, Asia- Minor, and to the Caspian Sea, and Persia, with all the islands of the Mediterranean and Ocean, which are in its limits embraced, including England and Ireland.  That unknown part is a quarter of the whole globe, and so capacious, that it may contain in it double the kingdoms and provinces of all those your majesty is at present Lord of:  And that without adjoining to Turks or Moors, or others of the nations which are accustomed to disquiet and disturb their neighbours!” This was a discoverer after our own heart, worth a dozen or two of Ansons, Byrons, and Cooks!  Amongst his real discoveries must be particularly regarded the Tierra del Espirito Santo above- mentioned, which was visited by Bougainville in 1768, and called by him the New Cyclades, a name since supplanted by that which Cook gave, the New Hebrides.—­E.

[5] See our account of this voyage in vol. x.  It was perhaps more fruitful in discoveries of islands, than any preceding expedition, and was remarkable, besides, for the small loss of lives during its continuance, viz. only three men.  The interesting enough discovery of the Strait which bears the name of Le Maire, would have been sufficient to signalize the spirited undertaking of that merchant.  Nor can it be any thing to his discredit, considering his circumstances and profession, that he had his golden dreams about a southern counterpoise.  Technical habits might readily suggest to him the propriety of an exact balance.—­E.

[6] A note has been given in vol. xiii. respecting Tasman’s voyage.  His discoveries were undoubtedly of some importance, and deserve particular notice in a collection; as such, an opportunity, it is expected, will occur for effecting it, either entire from Valentyn’s relation, or in abstract from various authorities.—­E.

    [7] See what has been said on this subject in our account of Byron’s
    voyage, vol. xii. p. 47.—­E.