88. This complaint of our author is applicable only to the French publications, for it is well known that the English voyages, chiefly when published by authority, are remarkable both for the fine language, and the strict keeping of the marine phrases, so necessary to make these publications useful to future navigators, and which are understood by the greater part of this nation, so much used to the sea and its phrases, that our romances and plays are full of them, and that they have even a run in common life. F.
88. This complaint of our author is applicable only to the French publications, for it is well known that the English voyages, chiefly when published by authority, are remarkable both for the fine language, and the strict keeping of the marine phrases, so necessary to make these publications useful to future navigators, and which are understood by the greater part of this nation, so much used to the sea and its phrases, that our romances and plays are full of them, and that they have even a run in common life. F.
89. It must be supposed, that the author means South America. F.
89. It must be supposed, that the author means South America. F.
90. Mr.BougainvilleBougainvillewritesDavid: indeed, he and most writers of his nation, mutilate all foreign names; not only inadvertently, but often on purpose, through mere caprice. F.
90. Mr.BougainvilleBougainvillewritesDavid: indeed, he and most writers of his nation, mutilate all foreign names; not only inadvertently, but often on purpose, through mere caprice. F.
91. A Mecklenburger, who, with his father, had been in the Dutch service. F.
91. A Mecklenburger, who, with his father, had been in the Dutch service. F.
92. A kind of sea-fowl; probably of the gull or tern kind. F.
92. A kind of sea-fowl; probably of the gull or tern kind. F.
93. Isle of Lancebearers.
93. Isle of Lancebearers.
94.Rester en travers.
94.Rester en travers.
95. The continent, which the geographers place in these parts, ought to have been laid down only as a sign of land, which Quiros says he met with the 27th of January 1606. But these signs of continent Quiros found before he came to the isle of Sagittaria, which is the first he landed at, after sailing from Peru. See Mr.Dalrymple’s Historical Collection of Voyages in the South Pacific Ocean, part i. 107, 108, and the chart of the South Seas annexed. F.
95. The continent, which the geographers place in these parts, ought to have been laid down only as a sign of land, which Quiros says he met with the 27th of January 1606. But these signs of continent Quiros found before he came to the isle of Sagittaria, which is the first he landed at, after sailing from Peru. See Mr.Dalrymple’s Historical Collection of Voyages in the South Pacific Ocean, part i. 107, 108, and the chart of the South Seas annexed. F.
96. Reaumur’s.
96. Reaumur’s.
97. The people ofOtahitee, or as our author wrongly calls it,Taiti, are not idolaters, according to the last published account, and therefore it is certain, that Mr. de B. took some ornamental figures for those of their divinities. Had this circumnavigator made a longer stay in this island, had he thoroughly studied the language of the country, and looked upon many things with a more philosophical, or less prejudiced eye, his account would have proved less subject to the mistakes it abounds with. The English, more used to philosophical enquiries, will give more faithful accounts in the work that is going to be published, of the great discoveries made by the British nation in those seas. F.
97. The people ofOtahitee, or as our author wrongly calls it,Taiti, are not idolaters, according to the last published account, and therefore it is certain, that Mr. de B. took some ornamental figures for those of their divinities. Had this circumnavigator made a longer stay in this island, had he thoroughly studied the language of the country, and looked upon many things with a more philosophical, or less prejudiced eye, his account would have proved less subject to the mistakes it abounds with. The English, more used to philosophical enquiries, will give more faithful accounts in the work that is going to be published, of the great discoveries made by the British nation in those seas. F.
98. Rayés.
98. Rayés.
99. The cocoa-nuts, or the fruit of thecocos nuciferacocos nucifera, Linn. is too well known to want any description. The plantains, or fruit of themusaparadisiacaparadisiaca, Linn. is likewise well known to all navigators, as the produce of hot countries. The bread-fruit is a production of a tree not yet described by Dr. Linnæus; Lord Anson found it upon the isle of Tinian; Dampier and the great Ray take notice of this very useful and curious tree. Yams are the roots of a plant known under the name ofdioscorea alata. The okra is the fruit of thehibiscus esculentus, Linn. The curassol is one of theannonasor custard-apples. In general it must be observed that the botanical knowledge of our author is very superficial, and though he enumerates these fruits as the growth of the isle of Otahitee, it cannot be ascertained with any degree of precision, whether our author is right or wrong; and the new light in which, by the indefatigable industry of our philosophers, the natural history of these countries will be placed, makes us the more ardently wish for the publication of their great discoveries. F.
99. The cocoa-nuts, or the fruit of thecocos nuciferacocos nucifera, Linn. is too well known to want any description. The plantains, or fruit of themusaparadisiacaparadisiaca, Linn. is likewise well known to all navigators, as the produce of hot countries. The bread-fruit is a production of a tree not yet described by Dr. Linnæus; Lord Anson found it upon the isle of Tinian; Dampier and the great Ray take notice of this very useful and curious tree. Yams are the roots of a plant known under the name ofdioscorea alata. The okra is the fruit of thehibiscus esculentus, Linn. The curassol is one of theannonasor custard-apples. In general it must be observed that the botanical knowledge of our author is very superficial, and though he enumerates these fruits as the growth of the isle of Otahitee, it cannot be ascertained with any degree of precision, whether our author is right or wrong; and the new light in which, by the indefatigable industry of our philosophers, the natural history of these countries will be placed, makes us the more ardently wish for the publication of their great discoveries. F.
100. This assertion of Mr. de B. proves him to be little acquainted with mining; since our best writers on that subject give a gently sloping ridge of mountains, with a fine turf, covered with groves of trees, and well supplied with water, amongst many more, as the characteristics of a place where it is probable to find minerals in: SeeLehman’s Art des Mines Metalliques, vol. i. p. 17. But the whole isle of Otahitee seems to be produced by a Volcano, and the rocks on it are chiefly lava, consequently there are very little hopes of finding any regular veins with minerals on it, except some iron-stone, which has been liberally scattered by the benevolent hand of nature all over the various parts of the globe. F.
100. This assertion of Mr. de B. proves him to be little acquainted with mining; since our best writers on that subject give a gently sloping ridge of mountains, with a fine turf, covered with groves of trees, and well supplied with water, amongst many more, as the characteristics of a place where it is probable to find minerals in: SeeLehman’s Art des Mines Metalliques, vol. i. p. 17. But the whole isle of Otahitee seems to be produced by a Volcano, and the rocks on it are chiefly lava, consequently there are very little hopes of finding any regular veins with minerals on it, except some iron-stone, which has been liberally scattered by the benevolent hand of nature all over the various parts of the globe. F.
101. Supposed to be the marquis de Pau. F.
101. Supposed to be the marquis de Pau. F.
102.Lune en état de Guerre.
102.Lune en état de Guerre.
103. The stone employed by the inhabitants of Otahitee for chissels and other tools, and even for ornaments to be hung in the ears, is by all appearances a kind oflapis nephriticus, which when transparent is pale-green, very soft, and employed for the latter purpose; but when opaque, it is of a deeper hue and harder. In South America the same kind of stone is employed by the natives for ornaments; and is much valued among theTopayos, or Tapuyas, a nation in the interior parts of Brasil, living along the river of that name, which falls into the river of Amazons. This stone is calledtapuravasby the Galibis, a nation in Guiana; the Europeans settled in these parts of the world, call it theAmazon’s-stone; the European jewellers think it to bejade, a kind of precious stone of the same colour brought from the east. It is said that stones of this kind are found near the river St. Jago, forty miles from Quito, in the province of las Esmeraldas, in Peru. They grow more and more scarce, being much coveted by the nations of Guiana, the Tapuyas, and some other Indian nations, and likewise frequently bought up by the Europeans.BarrereNouvelle Relation de la France equinoxiale, Paris 1743, andCondamineRelation abregée d’un Voyage fait en descendant la Riviere des Amazones, Paris 1746. F.
103. The stone employed by the inhabitants of Otahitee for chissels and other tools, and even for ornaments to be hung in the ears, is by all appearances a kind oflapis nephriticus, which when transparent is pale-green, very soft, and employed for the latter purpose; but when opaque, it is of a deeper hue and harder. In South America the same kind of stone is employed by the natives for ornaments; and is much valued among theTopayos, or Tapuyas, a nation in the interior parts of Brasil, living along the river of that name, which falls into the river of Amazons. This stone is calledtapuravasby the Galibis, a nation in Guiana; the Europeans settled in these parts of the world, call it theAmazon’s-stone; the European jewellers think it to bejade, a kind of precious stone of the same colour brought from the east. It is said that stones of this kind are found near the river St. Jago, forty miles from Quito, in the province of las Esmeraldas, in Peru. They grow more and more scarce, being much coveted by the nations of Guiana, the Tapuyas, and some other Indian nations, and likewise frequently bought up by the Europeans.BarrereNouvelle Relation de la France equinoxiale, Paris 1743, andCondamineRelation abregée d’un Voyage fait en descendant la Riviere des Amazones, Paris 1746. F.
104. Though our author has strongly pleaded in this paragraph in behalf of Aotourou, it cannot, however, be denied that he was one of the most stupid fellows; which not only has been found by Englishmen who saw him at Paris, during his stay there, and whose testimony would be decisive with the public, were I at liberty to name them; but the very countrymen of Aotourou were, without exception, all of the same opinion, that he had very moderate parts, if any at all. F.
104. Though our author has strongly pleaded in this paragraph in behalf of Aotourou, it cannot, however, be denied that he was one of the most stupid fellows; which not only has been found by Englishmen who saw him at Paris, during his stay there, and whose testimony would be decisive with the public, were I at liberty to name them; but the very countrymen of Aotourou were, without exception, all of the same opinion, that he had very moderate parts, if any at all. F.
105. In the French theatre there is, in the door of each box, a small window or hole, where people may peep through, which made it possible to Aotourou to enjoy even in the galleries the sight of the dancers. F.
105. In the French theatre there is, in the door of each box, a small window or hole, where people may peep through, which made it possible to Aotourou to enjoy even in the galleries the sight of the dancers. F.
106.Arbre du Grand Seigneur.
106.Arbre du Grand Seigneur.
107. The contrary, of the last mentioned circumstance, has been observed by our English navigators; and it is therefore highly probable Mr. de B. picked up his vocabulary of words from Aotourou, who had an impediment in his speech. F.
107. The contrary, of the last mentioned circumstance, has been observed by our English navigators; and it is therefore highly probable Mr. de B. picked up his vocabulary of words from Aotourou, who had an impediment in his speech. F.
108.Pilotes-côtiers.
108.Pilotes-côtiers.
109.Pilote-pratique de la côte de France.
109.Pilote-pratique de la côte de France.
110.Pilotes, Aide-pilotes, ou Pilotins.
110.Pilotes, Aide-pilotes, ou Pilotins.
111.Aides-pilotes.
111.Aides-pilotes.
112. Valentyn and others sayHeemskirk. See Dalrymple’s Historical Collection of Voyages in the South Pacific Ocean, p. 83.
112. Valentyn and others sayHeemskirk. See Dalrymple’s Historical Collection of Voyages in the South Pacific Ocean, p. 83.
113. Tobia, the man who went away from Otahitee, on board the Endeavour, according to the publishedJournal of a Voyage round the World, gave our circumnavigators accounts of many more islands in these seas, some of which were really found by our people; but many more were known only from his narrative of an expedition of these islanders to the west. As the number of these isles seems to be so considerable, it would certainly deserve another expedition to discover them all; and though at present the advantages seem to be of no great consequence, which might be reaped from an intercourse with these islanders; it is however certain, that the same objection might have been made to the first discoverers of America; and every body is at present sensible of the benefit accruing to these kingdoms from its American settlements. F.
113. Tobia, the man who went away from Otahitee, on board the Endeavour, according to the publishedJournal of a Voyage round the World, gave our circumnavigators accounts of many more islands in these seas, some of which were really found by our people; but many more were known only from his narrative of an expedition of these islanders to the west. As the number of these isles seems to be so considerable, it would certainly deserve another expedition to discover them all; and though at present the advantages seem to be of no great consequence, which might be reaped from an intercourse with these islanders; it is however certain, that the same objection might have been made to the first discoverers of America; and every body is at present sensible of the benefit accruing to these kingdoms from its American settlements. F.
114.Enseigne de la Marine.
114.Enseigne de la Marine.
115.Cornetsare a species of shell-fish. F.
115.Cornetsare a species of shell-fish. F.
116.Ouessant.
116.Ouessant.
117.Raz(orrat, a race or whirlpool) is a place in the sea where there is some rapid and dangerous current, or where there are different tides. Such aratis commonly to be met with in a strait or channel, but sometimes likewise in the high seas. See theDictionnaire Militaire portatif, 12mo. 3 vols. 1758. Paris. F.
117.Raz(orrat, a race or whirlpool) is a place in the sea where there is some rapid and dangerous current, or where there are different tides. Such aratis commonly to be met with in a strait or channel, but sometimes likewise in the high seas. See theDictionnaire Militaire portatif, 12mo. 3 vols. 1758. Paris. F.
118.Enseigne de Vaisseau.
118.Enseigne de Vaisseau.
119. This bird is a native of the Isle of Banda, one of the Moluccas, and is called by the DutchKroon-Vogel. Mr. Loten presented one, some years ago, alive to the late princess royal of England and of Orange. Mr. Brisson, in his Ornithology, vol. i. p. 279. t. 26. f. 1. very improperly calls it a crowned Indian pheasant (Faisan couronné des Indes); and Mr. Buffon, in his Planches Enluminées, tab. 118. follows Brisson, though everyone will be convinced that it is a pigeon, at the very first examination of its bill. Mr. Edwards has described and figured it, p. 269. t. 338. of the third volume of his Gleanings. Its plumage is blue, or lead-coloured; the size, that of a turkey. In that noble repository of natural history and learning, the British Museum, there is a fine specimen of it. F.
119. This bird is a native of the Isle of Banda, one of the Moluccas, and is called by the DutchKroon-Vogel. Mr. Loten presented one, some years ago, alive to the late princess royal of England and of Orange. Mr. Brisson, in his Ornithology, vol. i. p. 279. t. 26. f. 1. very improperly calls it a crowned Indian pheasant (Faisan couronné des Indes); and Mr. Buffon, in his Planches Enluminées, tab. 118. follows Brisson, though everyone will be convinced that it is a pigeon, at the very first examination of its bill. Mr. Edwards has described and figured it, p. 269. t. 338. of the third volume of his Gleanings. Its plumage is blue, or lead-coloured; the size, that of a turkey. In that noble repository of natural history and learning, the British Museum, there is a fine specimen of it. F.
120. They were found in a creek of the great isle, which forms this bay; and which for that reason has been called Hammer Island, (Isle aux Marteaux).
120. They were found in a creek of the great isle, which forms this bay; and which for that reason has been called Hammer Island, (Isle aux Marteaux).
121. It is not known to what genus this plant belongs; a general, but not systematical, description of it may be found in Mr.Valmont de Bomare’s Dictionnaire d’ Histoire Naturelle, articleMonbain. F.
121. It is not known to what genus this plant belongs; a general, but not systematical, description of it may be found in Mr.Valmont de Bomare’s Dictionnaire d’ Histoire Naturelle, articleMonbain. F.
122. M. de B. it seems can never sufficiently elevate the courage and perseverance of his countrymen; on all occasions he praises their disinterestedness, and endeavours to depreciate the merits of the British sailors, by balancing their sufferings with the rewards which an equitable government distributed to them. I have already said something on this subject in a note to our author’s Introduction (placed at the head of this work) and shall only add, that I should be apt to suspect M. de B. to envy the British circumnavigators those very rewards which he seems so much to despise, if I could combine such base sentiments with his otherwise generous way of thinking. F.
122. M. de B. it seems can never sufficiently elevate the courage and perseverance of his countrymen; on all occasions he praises their disinterestedness, and endeavours to depreciate the merits of the British sailors, by balancing their sufferings with the rewards which an equitable government distributed to them. I have already said something on this subject in a note to our author’s Introduction (placed at the head of this work) and shall only add, that I should be apt to suspect M. de B. to envy the British circumnavigators those very rewards which he seems so much to despise, if I could combine such base sentiments with his otherwise generous way of thinking. F.
123. M. de Buffon has denied the existence of theOpossumorDidelphis, Linn. in East India, though Piso, Valentyn, and Le Brun have seen it in the Moluccas and in Java: M. de Buffon’s own countryman, M. de Bougainville, now likewise asserts their being upon Boero, in a manner so little equivocal, that there can be no doubt of the Opossum genus inhabiting the East Indies, though the particular species is unknown. F.
123. M. de Buffon has denied the existence of theOpossumorDidelphis, Linn. in East India, though Piso, Valentyn, and Le Brun have seen it in the Moluccas and in Java: M. de Buffon’s own countryman, M. de Bougainville, now likewise asserts their being upon Boero, in a manner so little equivocal, that there can be no doubt of the Opossum genus inhabiting the East Indies, though the particular species is unknown. F.
124. This is the greatBat of Ternate, Penn. Syn. Quad. p. 359. and Linnæus’sVespertilio Vampyrus. F.
124. This is the greatBat of Ternate, Penn. Syn. Quad. p. 359. and Linnæus’sVespertilio Vampyrus. F.
125.Sous-Marchand.
125.Sous-Marchand.
126.Galere tentée: we suppose M. de Bougainville means a galley, with her awnings spread. F.
126.Galere tentée: we suppose M. de Bougainville means a galley, with her awnings spread. F.
127. Of six feet French measure each.
127. Of six feet French measure each.
128. The word Sultan is not of Arabic, but of Tartarian origin; but early introduced into the Arabian language by the Turks that were in the service of the Caliphs. F.
128. The word Sultan is not of Arabic, but of Tartarian origin; but early introduced into the Arabian language by the Turks that were in the service of the Caliphs. F.
129. This name is wretchedly disfigured from the Dutch,Schout-by-Nacht, which signifiesRear Admiral. F.
129. This name is wretchedly disfigured from the Dutch,Schout-by-Nacht, which signifiesRear Admiral. F.
130.Salawati.F.
130.Salawati.F.
131. Lord Sandwich’s son never was in any of these expeditions; it therefore is evident, that M. de Bougainville has been misinformed in regard to this particular. F.
131. Lord Sandwich’s son never was in any of these expeditions; it therefore is evident, that M. de Bougainville has been misinformed in regard to this particular. F.
132. Mr. Dalrymple never was at Batavia, nor Bencoolen; he left China in January 1765, and arrived in England in July 1765, since when he has never been out of the kingdom. From whence it must be obvious, M. de Bougainville is entirely mistaken in what he says concerning M. Dalrymple.
132. Mr. Dalrymple never was at Batavia, nor Bencoolen; he left China in January 1765, and arrived in England in July 1765, since when he has never been out of the kingdom. From whence it must be obvious, M. de Bougainville is entirely mistaken in what he says concerning M. Dalrymple.
133. Diego Rays. F.
133. Diego Rays. F.
134. Equal to our midshipman. F.
134. Equal to our midshipman. F.
135. We are very ready to do justice to Mr. Bougainville, when he presents us with a new and interesting observation; but when he, without the least necessity, becomes the advocate of tyranny and oppression, we cannot let these sentiments pass unnoticed. It would have appeared to us impossible, that such an idea as this could enter into any man’s head who is in his right senses: he wrote down this strange assertion, either being carried away by the itch to say something extraordinary and paradoxical, or in order to make slavery more tolerable to his fellow Frenchmen—Slavery endeavours to extirpate and to smother all sentiments of honour, which only can operate in the breast of a really free man; true honour, therefore, and slavery, are in direct opposition, and can be combined as little as fire and water. If Mr. B. threw this sentence out, in order to alleviate the yoke of tyranny his country groans under, we think we could excuse it in some measure, as he would then act from principles of humanity. But if the irresistible desire of saying something new was the prevalent motive with him, it has much the appearance as if he were willing to insult the poor victims of despotism. The generous and amiable character which M. B. from other instances appears in, prompts us to wish, that this sentence had been omitted by him. F.
135. We are very ready to do justice to Mr. Bougainville, when he presents us with a new and interesting observation; but when he, without the least necessity, becomes the advocate of tyranny and oppression, we cannot let these sentiments pass unnoticed. It would have appeared to us impossible, that such an idea as this could enter into any man’s head who is in his right senses: he wrote down this strange assertion, either being carried away by the itch to say something extraordinary and paradoxical, or in order to make slavery more tolerable to his fellow Frenchmen—Slavery endeavours to extirpate and to smother all sentiments of honour, which only can operate in the breast of a really free man; true honour, therefore, and slavery, are in direct opposition, and can be combined as little as fire and water. If Mr. B. threw this sentence out, in order to alleviate the yoke of tyranny his country groans under, we think we could excuse it in some measure, as he would then act from principles of humanity. But if the irresistible desire of saying something new was the prevalent motive with him, it has much the appearance as if he were willing to insult the poor victims of despotism. The generous and amiable character which M. B. from other instances appears in, prompts us to wish, that this sentence had been omitted by him. F.
136. I must here observe, that I have not altered the spelling of the words at all; and the reader will therefore take notice, that they should be pronounced according to the rules of the French language. F.
136. I must here observe, that I have not altered the spelling of the words at all; and the reader will therefore take notice, that they should be pronounced according to the rules of the French language. F.
Transcriber’s NoteThe Taitian Vocabulary at the end of the text was printed in two columns, which are presented here as a single continuous table, interspersed with notes.Given the age of the text, any corrections to spelling is problematic. Corrections have only been made when there are ample examples of our modern spelling.In the quotation from Virgil at the opening of Part II on p. 199, the English word ‘and’ was (no doubt) mistakenly used rather than the Latin ‘et’. It is given correctly in the French original.The name of the marquis de Buccarelli (appearing as such ten times) is given three times (pp. 113-117) as ‘Bucarelli’. These have been corrected to facilitate text searches.On p.429, the translation is missing the word ‘time’, which has been established based on the French original. See below.Errors deemed most likely to be the printer’s have been corrected, and are noted here. The references are to the page and line in the original.10.5the varia[tia]tions N. which we met with.Removed.14.18is insuf[fi]cient to encourageInserted.43.25the wars of king Will[i]am>Inserted.46.12The map w[h]ich> we giveInserted.91.6Navigation from Montevid[e]o to Baragan.Inserted.92.17goes to be repa[ri/ired thereTransposed.98.11upon this [carrier/career]Mistranslation.113.17the marquis de Buc[c]arelliInserted.113.22upon the Ur[a/u]guayReplaced.115.6the marquis de Buc[c]arelliInserted.117.7Don Francisco Buc[c]arelli y UrsuaInserted.135.25to a[ ]void the rocksRemoved.155.20to go in my pinna[n]ceRemoved.173.22Two other p[a/e]riaguas followedReplaced.179.1and mistrust amongst them[,/.]Replaced.180.2our chaplain administ[e]redInserted.190.10bears E. 9[°] N. and W. 9° S.Restored.199.9errantes terris [and/et] fluctibus æstasReplaced.199.18make good astronomi[-/ical]observationsCompleted.201.25Mr. Bou[n]gainville writesRemoved.207.19as the inhabi[bi]tants of the first islandRemoved.235.16[w/W]e then weighed the stream-anchorReplaced.272.7is soft, harmoni[o]us, and easyInserted.293.14extended on the south[.] sideRemoved.317.22to assist us in stem[m]ing the tideInserted.358.20The currents ceased set[t]ing usInserted.386.8the isle of Pang[e/a]saniReplaced.429.2very little at a [time] from each personAdded.437.8to get to the anchor[a]geInserted.449.2the isles of Amsterdam and Midd[le/le]burgTransposed.463.22I[s/t] is not without reasonReplaced.
Transcriber’s Note
Transcriber’s Note
Transcriber’s Note
The Taitian Vocabulary at the end of the text was printed in two columns, which are presented here as a single continuous table, interspersed with notes.
Given the age of the text, any corrections to spelling is problematic. Corrections have only been made when there are ample examples of our modern spelling.
In the quotation from Virgil at the opening of Part II on p. 199, the English word ‘and’ was (no doubt) mistakenly used rather than the Latin ‘et’. It is given correctly in the French original.
The name of the marquis de Buccarelli (appearing as such ten times) is given three times (pp. 113-117) as ‘Bucarelli’. These have been corrected to facilitate text searches.
On p.429, the translation is missing the word ‘time’, which has been established based on the French original. See below.
Errors deemed most likely to be the printer’s have been corrected, and are noted here. The references are to the page and line in the original.