Volume Xv Part 26 (1/2)
4. Let us now carry our thoughts somewhat farther. It is fortunate for the interests of knowledge, that acquisitions, in any one branch, generally, and indeed unavoidably, lead to acquisitions in other branches, perhaps of still greater consequence; and that we cannot even gratify mere curiosity without being rewarded with valuable instruction.
This observation applies to the subject before us. Voyages, in which new oceans have been traversed, and in which new countries have been visited, can scarcely ever be performed without bringing forward to our view fresh objects of science. Even when we are to take our report of what was discovered from the mere sailor, whose knowledge scarcely goes beyond the narrow limits of his own profession, and whose enquiries are not directed by philosophical discernment, it will be unfortunate indeed if something hath not been remarked, by which the scholar may profit, and useful accessions be made to our old stock of information. And if this be the case in general, how much more must be gained by the particular voyages now under consideration? Besides naval officers equally skilled to examine the coasts they might approach, as to delineate them accurately upon their charts, artists[51] were engaged, who, by their drawings, might ill.u.s.trate what could only be imperfectly described; mathematicians,[52] who might treasure up an extensive series of scientific observations; and persons versed in the various departments of the history of nature, who might collect, or record, all that they should find new and valuable, throughout the wide extent of their researches. But while most of these a.s.sociates of our naval discoverers were liberally rewarded by the public, there was one gentleman, who, thinking it the n.o.blest reward he could receive, to have an opportunity of making the ample fortune he inherited from his ancestors subservient to the improvement of science, stepped forward of his own accord, and, submitting to the hards.h.i.+ps and dangers of a circ.u.mnavigation of the globe, accompanied Captain Cook in the Endeavour. The learned world, I may also say the unlearned, will never forget the obligations which it owes to Sir Joseph Banks.
[Footnote 51: Messrs Hodges and Webber, whose drawings have ornamented and ill.u.s.trated this and Captain Cook's second voyage.--D.]
[Footnote 52: Mr Green, in the Endeavour; Messrs Wales and Bayly, in the Resolution and the Adventure; Mr Bayly, a second time, jointly with Captains Cook and King in this voyage; and Mr Lyons, who accompanied Lord Mulgrave.--D.]
What real acquisitions have been gained by this munificent attention to science, cannot be better expressed than in the words of Mr Wales, who engaged in one of these voyages himself, and contributed largely to the benefits derived from them.
”That branch of natural knowledge which may be called _nautical astronomy_, was undoubtedly in its infancy when these voyages were first undertaken. Both instruments and observers, which deserved the name, were very rare; and so late as the year 1770, it was thought necessary, in the appendix to Mayor's Tables, published by the Board of Longitude, to state facts, in contradiction to the a.s.sertions of so celebrated an astronomer as the Abbe de la Caille, that the alt.i.tude of the sun at noon, the easiest and most simple of all observations, could not be taken with certainty to a less quant.i.ty than five, six, seven, or even eight minutes.[53] But those who will give themselves the trouble to look into the astronomical observations, made in Captain Cook's last voyage, will find, that there were few, even of the petty officers, who could not observe the distance of the moon from the sun, or a star, the most delicate of all observations, with sufficient accuracy. It may be added, that the method of making and computing observations for finding the variation of the compa.s.s, is better known, and more frequently practised, by those who have been on these voyages, than by most others.
Nor is there, perhaps, a person who ranks as an officer, and has been concerned in them, who would not, whatever his real skill may be, feel ashamed to have it thought that he did not know how to observe for, and compute the time at sea; though, but a short while before these voyages were set on foot, such a thing was scarcely ever heard of amongst seamen; and even first-rate astronomers doubted the possibility of doing it with sufficient exactness.[54]
[Footnote 53: The Abbe's words are,--”Si ceux qui promettent une si grande precision dans ces sortes de methodes, avoient navigue quelques temps, ils auroient vu souvent, que dans l'observation la plus simple de toutes, qui est celle de la hauteur du soleil a midi, deux observations, munis de bons quartiers de reflexion, bien rectifies, different entr'eux, lorsqu'ils observent chacun a part, de 5', 6', 7', & 8'.”--_Ephemer_. 1755--1765. _Introduction_, p. 32.
It must be, however, mentioned, in justice to M. de la Caille, that he attempted to introduce the lunar method of discovering the longitude, and proposed a plan of calculations of the moon's distance from the sun and fixed stars; but, through the imperfection of his instruments, his success was much less than that method was capable of affording. The bringing it into general use was reserved for Dr Maskelyne, our Astronomer Royal. See the preface to the Tables for correcting the Effects of Refraction and Parallax, published by the Board of Longitude, under the direction of Dr Shepherd, Flumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy at Cambridge, in 1772.--D.]
[Footnote 54: In addition, to Mr Wales's remark, it may be observed, that the proficiency of our naval officers in taking observations at sea, must ultimately be attributed to the great attention paid to this important object by the Board of Longitude at home; liberal rewards having been given to mathematicians for perfecting the lunar tables, and facilitating calculations, and to artists for constructing more accurate instruments for observing, and watches better adapted to keeping time at sea. It appears, therefore, that the voyages of discovery, and the operations of the Board of Longitude, went hand in hand; and they must be combined, in order to form a just estimate of the extent of the plan carried into execution since his majesty's accession, for improving astronomy and navigation. But, besides the establishment of the Board of Longitude on its present footing, which has had such important consequences, it must also be ever acknowledged, that his present majesty has extended his royal patronage to every branch of the liberal arts and useful science. The munificent present to the Royal Society for defraying the expence of observing the _transit_ of Venus; the inst.i.tution of the Academy of Painting and Sculpture; the magnificent apartments allotted to the Royal and Antiquarian Societies, and to the Royal Academy at Somerset-Place; the support of the Garden of Exotics at Kew, to improve which Mr Ma.s.son was sent to the extremities of Africa; the substantial encouragement afforded to learned men and learned works in various departments, and particularly that afforded to Mr Herschel, which has enabled him to devote himself entirely to the improvement of astronomy;--these, and many other instances which might be enumerated, would have greatly distinguished his majesty's reign, even if he had not been the patron of those successful attempts to perfect geography and navigation by so many voyages of discovery.--D.
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 embarra.s.sments 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 pa.s.sions 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, circ.u.mstances, 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.
”An extensive foundation has also been laid for improvements in magnetism, for discovering the cause and nature of the polarity of the needle, and a theory of its variations, by the number and variety of the observations and experiments which have been made, both on the variation and dip, in almost all parts of the world. Experiments also have been made, in consequence of the late voyages, on the effects of gravity in different and very distant places, which may serve to increase our stock of natural knowledge. From the same source of information we have learned, that the phenomenon, usually called the _aurora borealis_, is not peculiar to high northern lat.i.tudes, but belongs equally to all cold climates, whether they be north or south.
”But, perhaps, no part of knowledge has been so great a gainer by the late voyages as that of botany. We are told,[55] that at least twelve hundred new plants have been added to the known system; and that very considerable additions have been made to every other branch of natural history, by the great skill and industry of Sir Joseph Banks, and the other gentlemen who have accompanied Captain Cook for that purpose.”
[Footnote 55: See Dr Shepherd's Preface, as above.]
To our naval officers in general, or to their learned a.s.sociates in the expeditions, all the foregoing improvements of knowledge may be traced; but there is one very singular improvement indeed, still behind, for which, as we are solely indebted to Captain Cook, let us state it in his own words: ”Whatever may be the public judgment about other matters, it is with real satisfaction, and without claiming any merit but that of attention to my duty, that I can conclude this account with an observation, which facts enable me to make, that our having discovered the possibility of preserving health amongst a numerous s.h.i.+p's company for such a length of time, in such varieties of climate, and amidst such continued hards.h.i.+ps and fatigues, will make this voyage remarkable in the opinion of every benevolent person, when the disputes about a southern continent shall have ceased to engage the attention and to divide the judgment of philosophers.”[56]
[Footnote 56: 34: Cook's second voyage.]
5. But while our late voyages have opened so many channels to an increase of knowledge in the several articles already enumerated; while they have extended our acquaintance with the contents of the globe; while they have facilitated old tracks, and opened new ones for commerce; while they have been the means of improving the skill of the navigator, and the science of the astronomer; while they have procured to us so valuable accessions in the several departments of natural history, and furnished such opportunities of teaching us how to preserve the healths and lives of seamen, let us not forget another very important object of study, for which they have afforded to the speculative philosopher ample materials; I mean the study of human nature in various situations, equally interesting as they are uncommon.
However remote or secluded from frequent intercourse with more polished nations the inhabitants of any parts of the world be, if history or our own observation should make it evident that they have been formerly visited, and that foreign manners and opinions, and languages, have been blended with their own, little use can be made of what is observed amongst such people toward drawing a real picture of man in his natural uncultivated state. This seems to be the situation of the inhabitants of most of the islands that lie contiguous to the continent of Asia, and of whose manners and inst.i.tutions the Europeans, who occasionally visit them, have frequently given us accounts. But the islands which our enterprising discoverers visited in the centre of the South Pacific Ocean, and are indeed the princ.i.p.al scenes of their operations, were untrodden ground. The inhabitants, as far as could be observed, were unmixed with any different tribe, by occasional intercourse, subsequent to their original settlement there; left entirely to their own powers for every art of life, and to their own remote traditions for every political or religions custom or inst.i.tution; uninformed by science; unimproved by education; in short, a fit soil from whence a careful observer could collect facts for forming a judgment, how far una.s.sisted human nature will be apt to degenerate, and in what respects it can ever be able to excel. Who could have thought, that the brutal ferocity of feeding upon human flesh, and the horrid superst.i.tion of offering human sacrifices, should be found to exist amongst the natives lately discovered in the Pacific Ocean, who, in other respects, appear to be no strangers to the fine feelings of humanity, to have arrived at a certain stage of social life, and to be habituated to subordination and government, which tend so naturally to repress the ebullitions of wild pa.s.sion, and expand the latent powers of the understanding?
Or, if we turn from this melancholy picture, which will suggest copious matter for philosophical speculation, can we, without astonishment, observe to what a degree of perfection the same tribe (and indeed we may here join, in some of those instances, the American tribes visited in the course of the present voyage) have carried their favourite amus.e.m.e.nts, the plaintive songs of their women, their dramatic entertainments, their dances, their olympian games, as we may call them, the orations of their chiefs, the chants of their priests, the solemnity of their religious processions, their arts and manufactures, their ingenious contrivances to supply the want of proper materials, and of effective tools and machines, and the wonderful productions of their persevering labour under a complication of disadvantages, their cloth and their mats, their weapons, their fis.h.i.+ng instruments, their ornaments, their utensils, which in design and in execution may vie with whatever modern Europe or cla.s.sical antiquity can exhibit?
It is a favourite study with the scholar to trace the remains of Grecian or Roman workmans.h.i.+p; he turns over his Montfaucon with learned satisfaction; and he gazes with rapture on the n.o.ble collection of Sir William Hamilton. The amus.e.m.e.nt is rational and instructive. But will not his curiosity be more awakened, will he not find even more real matter for important reflection, by pa.s.sing an hour in surveying the numerous specimens of the ingenuity of our newly-discovered friends, brought from the utmost recesses of the globe to enrich the British Museum, and the valuable repository of Sir Ashton Lever? If the curiosities of Sir Ashton's Sandwich-room alone were the only acquisition gained by our visits to the Pacific Ocean, who, that has taste to admire, or even eyes to behold, could hesitate to p.r.o.nounce that Captain Cook had not sailed in vain? The expence of his three voyages did not, perhaps, far exceed that of digging out the buried contents of Herculaneum. And we may add, that the novelties of the Society or Sandwich Islands seem better calculated to engage the attention of the studious in our times, than the antiquities which exhibit proofs of Roman magnificence.
The grounds for making this remark cannot be better explained, than in the words of a very ingenious writer: ” In an age,” says Mr Warton,[57]
”advanced to the highest degree of refinement, that species of curiosity commences, which is busied in contemplating the progress of social life, in displaying the gradation of science, and in tracing the transition from barbarism to civility. That these speculations should become the favourite topics of such a period, is extremely natural. We look back on the savage condition of our ancestors with the triumph of superiority; and are pleased to mark the steps by which we have been raised from rudeness to elegance; and our reflections on this subject are accompanied with a conscious pride, arising, in a great measure, from a tacit comparison of the infinite disproportion between the feeble efforts of remote ages, and our present improvements in knowledge. In the mean time, the manners, monuments, customs, practices, and opinions of antiquity, by forming so strong a contrast with those of our own times, and by exhibiting human nature and human inventions in new lights, in unexpected appearances, and in various forms, are objects which forcibly strike a feeling imagination. Nor does this spectacle afford nothing more than a fruitless gratification to the fancy. It teaches us to set a just estimation on our own acquisitions, and encourages us to cherish that cultivation, which is so closely connected with the existence and the exercise of every social virtue.” We need not here observe, that the manners, monuments, customs, practices, and opinions of the present inhabitants of the Pacific Ocean, or of the west side of North America, form the strongest contrast with those of our own time in polished Europe; and that a feeling imagination will probably be more struck with the narration of the ceremonies of a _Natche_ at Tongataboo, than of a Gothic tournament at London; with the contemplation of the colossuses of Easter Island, than of the mysterious remains of Stonehenge.[58]
[Footnote 57: Preface to his History of English Poetry.]
[Footnote 58: This may be disputed, both in point of fact, and on principles of reasoning. As to the first, the fact, let readers in general enquire as to the comparative degree and frequency of attention bestowed on the different kinds of topics alluded to by the doctor. What is the conclusion from their observations on the subject? The writer for one, does not hesitate to a.s.sert, that he is convinced, the evidence bears against the opinion of the learned editor. So far as his notice extends, it appears, that the fooleries of a superst.i.tious age, the lies of legendary fabulists, the incomprehensible relics of long-forgotten delusions, really obtain more regard as objects of curiosity, than whatever of ingenuity or labour is to be found in the history of presently existing savages. Then again as to the reasons for such a preference. Is there not a sort of fas.h.i.+onable taste for the productions of antiquity, the want of which is quite unpardonable in our polished and literary circles? Does not the attainment of this taste, in any meritorious degree, by necessarily requiring much study, operate as preclusive of information to the possession of which no peculiar epithet of a commendatory nature has. .h.i.therto been awarded? Nay, is there not a sort of prejudice allied to a notion of vulgarity, directed against almost any shew of acquaintance with the habits and histories of uncultivated nations? But it would be unpardonable to imagine, there were not other reasons of a less invidious nature to explain the fact.