Narrative of the Voyages Round the World, Performed by Captain James Cook | Page 3

Voyage to the Pacific Ocean must be of the most essential service to
every writer of the Life of Captain Cook). The Captain's amiable and

worthy Widow, who is held in just esteem by all his friends, has given
me an account of several domestic circumstances. I should be deficient
in gratitude, were I here to omit the name of Mr. Samwell: for though
what is inserted from him in this work has already been laid before the
public, it should be remembered, that through the interposition of our
common friend, the Rev. Mr. Gregory, it was originally written for my
use, and freely consigned to my disposal; and that it was at my
particular instance and request that it was separately printed. My
obligations to other gentlemen will be mentioned in their proper places.
But my acknowledgments are, above all, due to Sir Joseph Banks,
President of the Royal Society, for the interest he has taken in the
present publication. It was in consequence of his advice, that it was
given to the world in the form which it now bears; and his assistance
has been invariable through every part of the undertaking. To him the
inspection of the whole has been submitted and to him it is owing, that
the work is, in many respects, far more complete than it would
otherwise have been. The exertions of zeal and friendship, I have been
so happy as to experience from him in writing the account of Captain
Cook, have corresponded with that ardour which Sir Joseph Banks is
always ready to display in promoting whatever he judges to be
subservient to the cause of science and literature.

CONTENTS.
CHAP. I. Account of Captain Cook previous to his first Voyage round
the World
CHAP. II. Narrative of Captain Cook's first Voyage round the World in
the years 1768, 1769, 1770, and 1771
CHAP. III. Account of Captain Cook during the Period between his
first and second Voyage
CHAP. IV. Narrative of Captain Cook's second Voyage round the
World in the years 1772, 1773, 1774, and 1775
CHAP. V. Account of Captain Cook during the Period between his
second and third Voyage
CHAP. VI. Narrative of Captain Cook's third Voyage in the years 1776,
1777, 1778, and 1779, to the Period of his Death
CHAP. VII. Character of Captain Cook.--Effects of his
Voyages.--Testimonies of Applause.--Commemorations of his

Services.--Regard paid to his Family.--Conclusion
APPENDIX

COOK'S VOYAGES.

CHAPTER I.
Account of Captain Cook, previous to his first Voyage round the
World.
Captain James Cook had no claim to distinction on account of the lustre
of his birth, or the dignity of his ancestors. His father, James Cook,
who from his dialect is supposed to have been a Northumbrian, was in
the humble station of a servant in husbandry, and married a woman of
the same rank with himself, whose Christian name was Grace. Both of
them were noted in their neighbourhood for their honesty, sobriety, and
diligence. They first lived at a village called Morton, and then removed
to Marton, another village in the North-riding of Yorkshire, situated in
the high road from Gisborough, in Cleveland, to Stockton upon Tees, in
the county of Durham, at the distance of six miles from each of these
towns. At Morton, Captain Cook was born, on the 27th of October,
1728;[1] and, agreeably to the custom of the vicar of the parish, whose
practice it was to baptize infants soon after their birth, he was baptized
on the 3rd of November following. He was one of nine children, all of
whom are now dead, excepting a daughter, who married a fisherman at
Redcar. The first rudiments of young Cook's education were received
by him at Marton, where he was taught to read by dame Walker, the
schoolmistress of the village. When he was eight years of age, his
father, in consequence of the character he had obtained for industry,
frugality, and skill in husbandry, had a little promotion bestowed upon
him, which was that of being appointed head-servant, or hind,[2] to a
farm belonging to the late Thomas Skottow, Esq. called Airy Holme,
near Great Ayton. To this place, therefore, he removed with his
family;[3] and his son James, at Mr. Skottow's expense, was put to a
day-school in Ayton, where he was instructed in writing, and in a few
of the first rules of arithmetic.

[Footnote 1: The mud house in which Captain Cook drew his first
breath is pulled down, and no vestiges of it are now remaining.]
[Footnote 2: This is the name which, in that part of the country, is given
to the head-servant, or bailiff, of a farm.]
[Footnote 3: Mr. Cook, senior, spent the close of his life with his
daughter, at Redcar, and is supposed to have been about