ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with the statement that science is often used as a means of legitimizing other activities. In the case of John Herschel's Cape voyage, there were two such legitimizations. The chapter argues that the legitimization was on a national level: the British empire used Herschel's voyage to justify one of its colonial conquests. After Herschel's return from Africa, what changed in the public imagination was the conception of Herschel's place in British society. It was one thing to be an astronomer or natural philosopher, no matter how accomplished. Herschel's recognized scientific prowess, his central position in British scientific circles, and his perception as a veteran explorer made him the obvious choice to edit the Manual. In its conception it was to be a general and standardized summary of the knowledge and technique required by Naval officers to successfully execute scientific investigations while in distant parts of the globe.
