[15] Both of these gentlemen published works respecting this second voyage of Cook, to which we shall have occasion to refer in the notes.  That of the former is entitled, “Observations made during a Voyage round the World, on Physical Geography, Natural History, and Ethic Philosophy, &c.,” and was published at London in 1778, 4to.; that of the latter is, properly speaking, a full relation of the voyage, and appeared in two volumes 4to., at London, the year before.  There is good reason for saying. that no account of this voyage can be held complete, that is not materially aided by these two productions, which, with sundry imperfections, and perhaps vices, have very great merit, and are highly interesting.  They are accordingly, as well as the work of Mr Wales, freely used for the purpose of this collection.—­E.

[16] Many readers may desire to know what kind of instruments Captain Cook alludes to above.  The following list is taken from Mr Wales’s work, which, from the nature of it, has been rarely looked into by any but scientific men.

1.  A portable observatory. 2.  An astronomical clock, made by Mr Shelton. 3.  An assistant clock, made by Mr Monk. 4.  A transit instrument, made by Mr Bird. 5.  An astronomical quadrant, by the same excellent artist. 6.  A reflecting telescope, of two feet focal length, by ditto. 7.  An achromatic refracting telescope, of three and a half feet, and triple object glass, made by Mr Dollond. 8.  A Hadley’s sextant, by ditto. 9.  Another, by Mr Ramsden. 10.  An azimuth compass, by Mr Adams. 11.  A pair of globes, by ditto. 12.  A dipping needle, by Mr Nairne.  I3.  A marine barometer, by ditto. 14.  A wind gage, invented by Dr Lind of Edinburgh, and made by Mr Nairne. 15.  Two portable barometers, made by Mr Burton. 16.  Six thermometers, by ditto. 17.  A theodolite, with a level, and a Gunter’s chain, by ditto. 18.  An apparatus for trying the heat of the sea-water at different depths. 19.  Two time-keepers, one made by Mr Larcum Kendal, on Mr Harrison’s principles, and the other by Mr John Arnold.

Mr Wales has particularly described some of these instruments, and the mode of using them.  He has, besides, given a very interesting, though short history of the application of astronomical instruments to navigation, a summary of which, with some additional remarks, could scarcely fail to be valued by any reader concerned for the promotion of useful science.  This, accordingly, it is purposed to insert whenever a proper opportunity occurs.  It might seem rather a hindrance in this place.—­E.

[17] The opinion stated in the memoir of Cook, in the Biographia Britannica, as to his appearance in the character of an author, perfectly concurs with what the writer has elsewhere said on the subject; and it may deserve a place here, as a commendatory testimony, which the modesty