I have been anxious to do it, without always being able fully to satisfy my own mind that I have succeeded; on which account I shall not be surprised if different opinions should be formed on the subject.

In that case, all that I can offer in my own defence will be, that I have acted to the best of my judgment.

At any rate I flatter myself with the hope of having presented to the public a work not wholly uninteresting or unentertaining.

Those who are best acquainted with Captain Cook's expeditions, may be pleased with reviewing them in a more compendious form, and with having his actions placed in a closer point of view, in consequence of their being divested of the minute nautical, and other details, which were essentially necessary in the voyages at large.

As to those persons, if there be any, who have hitherto obtained but an imperfect knowledge of what was done and discovered by this illustrious man, they will not be offended with the length of the following narrative.
In various respects, new information will be found in the present performance; and other things, which were less perfectly known before, are set in a clearer and fuller light.