ABSTRACT
The cause of this Voyage was owing to Mr. Banks being disapointed of his second intended one round the world, after having engaged a number of Eminent Artists with other persons of Ingenuity Necessary in a Voyage of such magnitude and consequence. The enterprising Genius of Mr. Banks is not conned to triŽing remarks, or useless
discoveries, his Philosophical researches were intended to improve the mind, and as far as possible, become a universal Benet by observing and explaining the wonderful works of Nature in all her various Eliments and productions, which would nd employment for the Chymist, Philosopher, Historian, and the Poet by opening new scenes drawn by the pencil of Truth to amaze, amuse, instruct and enlarge the understanding. But none can tell the future by the present. The Ship Mr. Banks intended to have gone
in which [iv] was call’d the Resolution after having been tted up at a vast expence for the accommodation of himself and those Gentlemen who he had engaged to accompany him, was found incapable of such service. This discovery was made in the following manner, every thing being ready many of Mr
Banks people with the Seamen were on Board, when as is customary for the Benit of exercise, the commanding o‹cer ordered them upon deck to play, which they did, and in the pursuites of their rude sports running from one side of the Ship to the other, it was observed to roll and be agitated on the water in a very strange manner, this was particularly noticed by the Pilot who declared he would not take charge of the Vessel, as it was impossible it could ever perform the Voyage with its present Encumbrances. This being communicated to Mr. Banks, changed his Intentions, and he was at a second
trouble in taking away all those Stores which he at so great an expence had provided for such a long Voyage. [v] Yet having retained as before mentioned, such a number of Ingenius persons whom he was under an obligation to satisfy, he thought of a Voyage to Iceland, as a place well worthy [of ] his observations, which he undertook in company with Dr. Solander, Dr Lind, Mr. Troil &c. &c. In our way we visited several of the Western Islands of Scotland, perticularly StaŠa,
one of the most surprising places in the known world. Having examined and made observations on all that was worthy notice in Iceland and ascended to the top of Mount Heckla (being the rst that ever did1) we returned by the Orkneys to Edenborough [Edinburgh] of which Voyage this as near as can be is a faithful Journal.
