This, indeed, was a most distinguished feature in his character: in this he scarcely ever had an equal, and never a superior.

Nothing could divert him from the points he aimed at; and he persisted in the prosecution of them, through difficulties and obstructions, which would have deterred minds of very considerable strength and firmness.
What enabled him to persevere in all his mighty undertakings was the invincible fortitude of his spirits.

Of this, instances without number occur in the accounts of his expeditions; two of which I shall take the liberty of retailing to the attention of my readers.

The first is, the undaunted magnanimity with which he prosecuted his discoveries along the whole southeast coast of New Holland.

Surrounded as he was with the greatest possible dangers, arising from the perpetual succession of rocks, shoals, and breakers, and having a ship that was almost shaken to pieces by repeated perils, his vigorous mind had a regard to nothing but what he thought was required of him by his duty to the public.