Narrative of the Voyages Round the World, Performed by Captain James Cook | Page 9

expedition,
Captain Wallis returned from his voyage round the world. The Earl of
Morton, president of the Royal Society, had recommended it to this
gentleman, on his going out, to fix upon a proper place for observing
the transit of Venus. He kept, accordingly, the object in view: and
having discovered, in the course of his enterprise, an island called by
him George's Island, but which has since been found to bear the name
of Otaheite, he judged that Port Royal harbour in this island would
afford an eligible situation for the purpose. Having, immediately on his
return to England, signified his opinion to the Earl of Morton, the
captain's idea was adopted by the society, and an answer conformable
to it was sent to the commissioners of the Admiralty, who had applied
for directions to what place the observers, should be sent.
Mr. Charles Green, a gentleman who had long been assistant to Dr.
Bradley at the royal observatory at Greenwich, was united by
Lieutenant Cook in conducting the astronomical part of the voyage; and,
soon after their appointment, they received ample instructions, from the
council of the Royal Society, with regard to the method of carrying on
their inquiries. The lieutenant was also accompanied by Joseph Banks,
Esq. (now Sir Joseph Banks, Bart.) and Dr. Solander, who, in the prime
of life, and the first of them at great expense to himself, quitted all the
gratifications of polished society, and engaged in a very tedious,

fatiguing, and hazardous navigation, with the laudable views of
acquiring knowledge in general, of promoting natural knowledge in
particular, and of contributing something to the improvement and the
happiness of the rude inhabitants of the earth.
Though it was the principal, it was not the sole object of Lieutenant
Cook's voyage to observe the transit of Venus. A more accurate
examination of the Pacific Ocean was committed to him, although in
subserviency to his main design; and, when his chief business was
accomplished, he was directed to proceed in making farther discoveries
in the great Southern Seas.
The complement of Lieutenant Cook's ship consisted of eighty-four
persons besides the commander. Her victualling was for eighteen
months; and there was put on board of her ten carriage and ten swivel
guns, together with an ample store of ammunition and other
necessaries.
On the 25th of May, 1768, Lieutenant Cook was appointed, by the
lords of the Admiralty, to the command of the Endeavour, in
consequence of which he went on board on the 27th, and took charge of
the ship. She then lay in the bason in Deptford-yard, where she
continued to lie till she was completely fitted for sea. On the 30th of
July she sailed down the river, and on the 13th of August anchored in
Plymouth Sound. The wind becoming fair on the 26th of that month,
our navigators got under sail, and on the 13th of September anchored in
Funchiale Road, in the island of Madeira.
While Lieutenant Cook and his company were in this island, they were
treated with the utmost kindness and liberality by Mr. Cheap, the
English consul there, and one of the most considerable merchants in the
town of Funchiale. He insisted upon their taking possession of his
house, and furnished them with every possible accommodation during
their stay at Madeira. They received, likewise, great marks of attention
and civility from Dr. Thomas Heberden, the principal physician of the
island, and brother to the excellent and learned Dr. William Heberden
of London. Dr. Thomas Heberden afforded all the assistance in his
power to Mr. Banks, and Dr. Solander in their botanical inquiries.

It was not solely from the English that the lieutenant and his friends
experienced a kind reception. The fathers of the Franciscan convent
displayed a liberality of sentiment towards them, which might not have
been expected from Portuguese friars; and, in a visit which they paid to
a convent of nuns, the ladies expressed a particular pleasure at seeing
them. At this visit the good nuns gave an amusing proof of the progress
they had made to the cultivation of their understandings. Having heard
that there were great philosophers among the English gentlemen, they
asked them a variety of questions; one of which was, when it would
thunder; and another, whether a spring of fresh water, which was much
wanted, was any where to be found within the walls of the convent.
Eminent as our philosophers were, they were puzzled by these
questions.
Lieutenant Cook, having laid in a fresh stock of beef, water, and wine,
set sail from the island of Madeira, in the night of the 18th of
September, and proceeded on his voyage. By the 7th of November
several articles of the ship's provisions began to fall short; for which
reason, the lieutenant