Another motive for publiihing this book was, a defire o f being
ufoful to future travellers, whom ardent curiofity might impel to
vifit the northern diftrids. Thofe parts o f Europe, which are, I
may fay, almoft abandoned by nature, are little known, and any
information concerning them muil o f courfe be acceptable;
Faihion, which extends its influence over every thing, appears,
in our day, to favour travels and expeditions to the North:
and the prevalence o f this may, perhaps, have been increafed by
the political troubles in the South o f Europe. However this may
be, fuch as travel to thofe quarters are entitled to a degree o f
regard and efteem which cannot juftly be claimed by thofe who
vifit the South o f Europe : for the hardy North does not by any
means hold out the fame luxuries, the fame allurements o f climate,
and the fame temptations to pleafure that are prefented by
a more genial and inviting foil. Journeys in the North will be
undertaken by thofe only who have a ju it and mafculine taile
for nature, under every afped, and are aduated by a defire o f enlarging
their own information, and o f initruding others.
W ith this view the Author, having reached the North Cape
by a route before confidered as impradicable in fummer, has publifhed
liihed a delineation o f that excuriion for the affiftance o f other
travellers who may come after him. His accounts, whatever
may be their defeds, will be allowed to poilefs the merit o f novelty.
Even the faults with which they may poffibly be charged,
will not be without fbme advantage to others. His work, however
imperfed, may ierve to pave the way for one more complete
and accurate. It is with travels, as with every other p u rfu it:
men even o f the moil ordinary talents have often, by their humble
efforts, given birth to exertions in others, which have been
more happily direded, and more fucceisful.
D IR E C T IO N S