But still it must be allowed, that their happiness is greatly inferior, both in kind and degree, to that intellectual, social, and moral felicity, which is capable of being attained in a highly cultivated state of society.
In voyages to the South Pacific Ocean, the determination of the best passage from the Atlantic is a point of peculiar importance.

It is well known what prodigious difficulties were experienced in this respect by former navigators.

The doubling of Cape Horn, in particular, was so much dreaded, that, to the general opinion, it was far more eligible to pass through the Strait of Magalhaens.

Lieutenant Cook hath fully ascertained the erroneousness of this opinion.

He was but three-and-thirty days in coming round the land of Terra del Fuego, from the east entrance of the Strait of Le Maire, till he had advanced about twelve degrees to the westward, and three and a half to the northward of the Strait of Magalhaens; and, during this time, the ship scarcely received any damage.