tions, and his peculiar mode of thinking. It was therefore
neceflary to be acquainted with the obferver, before-
any ufe could be made of his obfervations. The traveller
was no longer to truft to chance for a variety of occurrences,
but to make ufe of his firft difcovery, as the threads
of Ariadne, by the help of which he might guide his fteps
through the labyrinth of human knowledge. It was therefore
requifite that he fhould have penetration fufficient to-
combine different fadbs, and to form general- views from-
thence, which might in fome meafure guide him to new
difcoveries, and point out the proper objects of farther in-
veftigation. This was the idea with which I embarked on.
the late voyage round the world, and agreeably to which
I., have collected materials for the prefent publication, as far
as the time, my fituation and abilities, would permit. I
have always endeavoured in this narrative to connect the
ideas arifing from different occurrences,, in order, if poffible,.
to throw more light upon the nature of the human mind,,
and to lift the foul into that exalted ftation, from whence-
the extenfive view muff “ juftify the ways of God to man.”
Whether I have fucceeded or failed in the( attempt, remains-
to be decided ; but the redtitude of the intention cannot, I
truft, be mifconftruedi I have fometimes obeyed the powerful
didlates of my heart, and given voice to my feelings h
for, as I do not pretend to be free from, the weakneffgs com-.
moa
mon to my fellow-creatures, it was neceflary for every
reader to know the colour of the glafs through which I
looked. Of this at leaf! I am certain, that a gloomy livid
tinge hath never clouded my fight. Accuftomed to look
on all the various tribes of men, as entitled to an equal
fliare of my good will, and confcious, at the fame time, of
the rights which I poffefs in common with every individual
among them, I have endeavoured to make my remarks
with a rqrrofpedt to our general improvement and welfare ;
and neither attachment nor avferfion, to particular nations
have influenced my praife or cenfure.
The degree of pleafure which may refult from the perufal
of a work, depends not only upon the variety of the fubjedt,
but likewife upon the purity and the graces of ftyle. We
muft refign all pretenfions to tafte and fentiment, if we did.
not prefer a well-told tale to a lame and tedious narration..
Of late, however, the juft efteem in which an elegant didtiom
is held, has been fo far abufed,.that authors, relying on the
fluency of their language, have paid no attention to the
matter which they propofed, but deceived the public with a<
dry and uninftrudtive performance. Such writers may.
poflibly acquire the approbation of fome individuals,
“ Who haunt Barnaflus but fo pleafe their ear5?
But l am convinced the generality of readers are always juftd
enough to. overlook, in fome meafure, the defedts of ftyle,,
ini