It is scarcely necessary to add to this note by saying, that the period which has elapsed since the first publication of this voyage, has not witnessed any failure of the promises held out by the previous state of science, notwithstanding the calamities and embarrassments attendant on the revolutionary frenzy that, in some degree, infected every country in Europe.  Science, indeed, has peculiarly prospered amid the miseries of the world.  In pity of the destructive work, in which man’s bad passions had been engaged with such industrious ferocity, she has held out in one hand a remedy for the evil, and pointed with the other to the blessings of peace.  Is it unreasonable to hope, that the precious seed sown in such tumultuous times as we have witnessed, and are now witnessing, will ere long yield a rich harvest to reward the industry of her labourers?  But let, us not limit our expectations and toils to the completion of mere minutiae, as Dr Douglas speaks.  The opinion of plenty, says Lord Bacon, is one of the causes of want.  A more unfavourable symptom of our condition could hardly be found, than a belief that we had reached perfection.  Let us rather think that greater progress may yet be made in beneficial arts and sciences than ever was made hitherto, and be therefore stimulated to more ambitious exertions.  It will be no glory to the next generation that we have gone so far, if they themselves are not invited and enabled by our success to get beyond us.—­E.]

“The number of places at which the rise and times of flowing of tides have been observed, in these voyages, is very great, and hence an important article of useful knowledge is afforded.  In these observations, some very curious, and even unexpected, circumstances, have offered themselves to our consideration.  It will be sufficient to instance the exceedingly small height to which the tide rises in the middle of the great Pacific Ocean, where it falls short, two-thirds at least, of what might have been expected from theory and calculation.

“The direction and force of currents at sea, make also an important object.  These voyages will be found to contain much useful information on this head, as well relating to seas nearer home, and which, in consequence, are navigated every day, as to those which are more remote, but where, notwithstanding, the knowledge of these things may be of great service to those who are destined to navigate them hereafter.  To this head also we may refer the great number of experiments which have been made for enquiring into the depth of the sea, its temperature, and saltness at different depths, and in a variety of places and climates.