xii I N T R O D U C T I O N . the refident’s children in Falfe-bay in geography, French, and mathematics. M. E k e b er g was no ftranger to the turn I had for natural hiftory, having been acquainted with it in the courfe of a voyage to Canton in China, which I had the happi- nefs to make under his command, in the years 1765 and 1766. He therefore had me in view when he thought on this voyage to the Cape. I accepted his offer with the greateft pleafure, as I had long wiihed for an opportunity of feeing diftant parts o f the world. Still, however, it depended entirely on the ipecial favour of the directors of the Royal Swedifh Eaft- India Company, whether I could be allowed'a paflage iii fbme vefiel bound for the Cape and' Canton. M .E k e b er g , therefore, mentioned my intended'voyage to the board, as likely to be of fervice to fcien.ce.* From the confideration o f fo ipecious an objedt, I was flattered by thefe gentlemen with the greateft hopes o f fuccefs in my application, till fuch time as, agreeably to their fta- tutes, a written petition ihould be preiented to them on this fubjedt. The late Archiater L in n^ us , as zealous for the advancement of his favourite fcience as he was deeply ikiH- ed in it, heard of this with peculiar pleafure; and, in his own name, drew up a petition for the voyage to be made. ' The I N T R O D U C T I O N . xiii The diredbors * well knowing, that a well-regulated com-, merce as well as navigation in general, has its foundation in fcience, and at the fame time receives hght from it, while this, in return, derives fupport from, and owes its extcnfion to the two former, not only( Conferited to what I requefted, but likewife, in their great kindnefs, went beyond my defires.. . Accordingly they ordered, that I ihould have my paf- fage gratis from Gottenburg to the Cape, together with every convenience,' in one of their ihips, called .the Cajlle. of Stockholm, which, it was .expedted, would he ready to fail on the Chriftmas following. The laft-mentioned place was pitched upon, for the firft ftation to be retorted to for the purpofe o f taking in refrefhments in our way to China. Before I begin the journal of my travels, I muff aflure every gentleman of a hearty welcome, who intends doing me the honour to accompany me in them by means of this paper-conveyance,' provided he will deign to be pleafed with his entertainment. * B a r o n F a b i a n L o e t e n . Meflieurs P e t e r T h e o d o r e K o e n i c . ... ...M a r t i n H o e t e r m a n . — D a v id o f S a n d e b e r g . _____-— J oh n A b r a h a m G r i l l . _________J oh n M a l m E r ic s s o n . — — C h a r l e s G o d f r e y K y s e l . A man
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