Kippis - Narrative of Captain James Cooks voyages round the world

SIR,

I esteem myself highly honoured in being permitted to dedicate and present my Narrative of the Life and Actions ofCaptain James Cook to your Majesty. It was owing to your Majestys royal patronage and bounty, that this illustriousnavigator was enabled to execute those vast undertakings, and to make those extraordinary discoveries, which havecontributed so much to the reputation of the British empire, and have reflected such peculiar glory on your Majestysreign. Without your Majestys munificence and encouragement, the world would have remained destitute of that immenselight which has been thrown on geography, navigation, and the most important sciences. To your Majesty, therefore, awork like the present is with particular propriety addressed.

It is impossible, on this occasion, to avoid extending my thoughts to the other noble instances in which yourMajestys liberal protection of science and literature has been displayed. Your Majesty began your reign in a career soglorious to princes: and wonderful has been the increase of knowledge and taste in this country. The improvements inphilosophical science, and particularly in astronomy; the exertions of experimental and chemical inquiry, theadvancement of natural history, the progress and perfection of the polite arts, and the valuable compositions that havebeen produced in every department of learning, have corresponded with your Majestys gracious wishes and encouragement,and have rendered the name of Britain famous in every quarter of the globe. If there be any persons who, in theserespects, would depreciate the present times, in comparison with those which have preceded them, it may safely beasserted, that such persons have not duly attended to the history of literature. The course of my studies has enabledme to speak with some confidence on the subject; and to say, that your majestys reign is eminently distinguished byone of the greatest glories that can belong to a monarch.

Knowledge and virtue constitute the chief happiness of a nation: and it is devoutly to be wished that the virtue ofthis country were equal to its knowledge. If it be not so, this does not arise from the want of an illustrious examplein the person of your Majesty, and that of your royal Consort. The pattern which is set by the King and Queen of GreatBritain, of those qualities which are the truest ornaments and felicities of life, affords a strong incitement to theimitation of the same excellencies; and cannot fail of contributing to the more extensive prevalence of that moralconduct on which the welfare of society so greatly depends.

That your Majesty may possess every felicity in your royal Person and Family, and enjoy a long and prosperous reign,over an enlightened, a free, and a happy people, is the sincere and ardent prayer of,

SIR,
Your Majestys most faithful,
and most obedient,
subject and servant,

ANDREW KIPPIS.
London, June 13, 1788.

Although I have often appeared before the public as a writer, I never did it with so much diffidenceand anxiety as on the present occasion. This arises from the peculiar nature of the work in which I have now engaged. ANarrative of the Life and Actions of Captain Cook must principally consist of the voyages and discoveries he made, andthe difficulties and dangers to which he was exposed. The private incidents concerning him, though collected with theutmost diligence, can never compare, either in number or importance, with his public transactions. His publictransactions are the things that mark the man, that display his mind and his character; and, therefore they are thegrand objects to which the attention of his biographer must be directed. However, the right conduct of this business isa point of no small difficulty and embarrassment. The question will frequently arise, How far the detail should beextended? There is a danger, on the one hand, of being carried to an undue length, and of enlarging, more than isneedful, on facts which may be thought already sufficiently known; and, on the other hand, of giving such a jejuneaccount, and such a slight enumeration of important events, as shall disappoint the wishes and expectations of thereader. Of the two extremes, the last seems to be that which should most be avoided; for, unless what Captain Cookperformed, and what he encountered, be related somewhat at large, his Life and Actions would be imperfectly representedto the world. The proper medium appears to be, to bring forward the things in which he was personally concerned, and topass slightly over other matters. Even here it is scarcely possible, nor would it be desirable, to avoid theintroduction of some of the most striking circumstances which relate to the new countries and inhabitants that werevisited by our great navigator, since these constitute a part of the knowledge and benefit derived from hisundertakings. Whether I have been so happy as to preserve the due medium, I presume not to determine. I have beenanxious to do it, without always being able fully to satisfy my own mind that I have succeeded; on which account Ishall not be surprised if different opinions should be formed on the subject. In that case, all that I can offer in myown defence will be, that I have acted to the best of my judgment. At any rate I flatter myself with the hope of havingpresented to the public a work not wholly uninteresting or unentertaining. Those who are best acquainted with CaptainCooks expeditions, may be pleased with reviewing them in a more compendious form, and with having his actions placedin a closer point of view, in consequence of their being divested of the minute nautical, and other details, which wereessentially necessary in the voyages at large. As to those persons, if there be any, who have hitherto obtained but animperfect knowledge of what was done and discovered by this illustrious man, they will not be offended with the lengthof the following narrative.

In various respects, new information will be found in the present performance; and other things, which were lessperfectly known before, are set in a clearer and fuller light. This, I trust, will appear in the first, third, fifth,and seventh chapters. It may be observed, likewise, that the fresh matter now communicated is of the most authentickind, and derived from the most respectable sources. My obligations of this nature are, indeed, very great, and callfor my warmest gratitude. The dates and facts relative to Captain Cooks different promotions are taken from the booksof the Admiralty, by the directions of the noble lord who is at the head of that Board, and the favour of Mr. Stephens.I embrace with pleasure this opportunity of mentioning, that, in the course of my life, I have experienced, in severalinstances, Lord Howes condescending and favourable attention. To Mr. Stephens I am indebted for other communicationsbesides those which concern the times of Captain Cooks preferments, and for his general readiness in forwarding thedesign of the present work. The Earl of Sandwich, the great patron of our navigator, and the principal mover in hismighty undertakings, has honoured me with some important information concerning him, especially with regard to thecircumstances which preceded his last voyage. To Sir Hugh Pallisers zeal for the memory of his friend I standparticularly obliged. From a large communication, with which he was so good as to favour me, I have derived verymaterial intelligence, as will appear in the course of the narrative, and especially in the first chapter. In the samechapter are some facts which I received from Admiral Graves, through the hands of the Rev. Dr. Douglas, now Bishop ofCarlisle (whose admirable Introduction to the Voyage to the Pacific Ocean must be of the most essential service toevery writer of the Life of Captain Cook). The Captains amiable and worthy Widow, who is held in just esteem by allhis friends, has given me an account of several domestic circumstances. I should be deficient in gratitude, were I hereto omit the name of Mr. Samwell: for though what is inserted from him in this work has already been laid before thepublic, it should be remembered, that through the interposition of our common friend, the Rev. Mr. Gregory, it wasoriginally written for my use, and freely consigned to my disposal; and that it was at my particular instance andrequest that it was separately printed. My obligations to other gentlemen will be mentioned in their proper places.