Robert Kerrs General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Volume 18 | Page 2

the progress of discovery, and of commercial enterprise, is,
therefore, that very arrangement which the nature of the subject
suggests. The most important and permanent effects of the progress of
discovery and commerce, on the wealth, the power, the political
relations, the manners and habits, and the general interests and
character of nations, will either appear on the very surface of our work,
or, where the facts themselves do not expose them to view, they will be
distinctly noticed.
A larger proportion of the volume is devoted to the progress of
discovery and enterprise among the ancients, than among the moderns;
or,--to express ourselves more accurately,--the period that terminates
with the discovery of America, and especially that which comprehends
the commerce of the Phoeniceans, of the Egyptians under the Ptolemies,
of the Greeks, and of the Romans, is illustrated with more ample and
minute details, than the period which has elapsed since the new world
was discovered. To most readers, the nations of antiquity are known by
their wars alone; we wished to exhibit them in their commercial
character and relations. Besides, the materials for the history of
discovery within the modern period are neither so scattered, nor so
difficult of access, as those which relate to the first period. After the
discovery of America, the grand outline of the terraqueous part of the
globe may be said to have been traced; subsequent discoveries only
giving it more boldness or accuracy, or filling up the intervening parts.
The same observation may in some degree be applied, to the
corresponding periods of the history of commerce. Influenced by these
considerations, we have therefore exhibited the infancy and youth of
discovery and commerce, while they were struggling with their own
ignorance and inexperience, in the strongest and fullest light.
At the conclusion of the work is given a select Catalogue of Voyages
and Travels, which it is hoped will be found generally useful, not only
in directing reading and inquiry, but also in the formation of a library.
This Historical Sketch has been drawn up with reference to, and in
order to complete Kerr's Collection of Voyages and Travels, and was
undertaken by the present Editor in consequence of the death of Mr.
Kerr. But though drawn up with this object, it is strictly and entirely an
independent and separate work.

Kerr's Collection contains a great variety of very curious and
interesting early Voyages and Travels, of rare occurrence, or only to be
found in expensive and voluminous Collections; and is, moreover,
especially distinguished by a correct and full account of all Captain
Cook's Voyages.
To the end of this volume is appended a Tabular View of the Contents
of this Collection; and it is believed that this Tabular View, when
examined and compared with the Catalogue, will enable those who
wish to add to this Collection such Voyages and Travels as it does not
embrace, especially those of very recent date, all that are deserving of
purchase and perusal.
W. STEVENSON.
March 30, 1824.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I
.
Historical Sketch of the Progress of Discovery and of Commercial
Enterprise, from the earliest records to the time of Herodotus

CHAPTER II
.
From the age of Herodotus to the death of Alexander the Great

CHAPTER III
.
From the Death of Alexander the Great to the time of Ptolemy the
Geographer; with a digression on the Inland Trade between India and
the Shores of the Mediterranean, through Arabia, from the earliest ages

CHAPTER IV

.
From the time of Ptolemy to the close of the Fifteenth Century

CHAPTER V
.
From the close of the Fifteenth to the beginning of the Nineteenth
Century
CATALOGUE.
Preliminary Observations on the Plan and Arrangement pursued in
drawing up the Catalogue
Instructions for Travellers
Collections and Histories of Voyages and Travels
Voyages and Travels round the World
Travels, comprizing different Quarters of the Globe
Voyages and Travels in the Arctic Seas and Countries
Europe
Africa
Asia
America
Polynesia
Australasia
INDEX to the Catalogue
---- ---- Historical Sketch
---- ---- XVII. Volumes of Voyages and Travels
CONTENTS of the XVII. Volumes
* * * * *
ERRATA.
Page 13. line 2. for has read have. 6. for near read nearly 28. 36. for
could sail read could formerly sail. 86. 6. for Egypt read India. 87. 22.
for Leucke read Leuke. 102. 5. for principal read principle. 213. 9. for
work read worm. 281. 28. for Ebor read Ebn. 282. 20. for Ebor read
Ebn. 5O7. 22. for as read than.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE PROGRESS OF DISCOVERY, &c.
&c.

CHAPTER I
.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE PROGRESS OF DISCOVERY,
AND OF COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE, FROM THE EARLIEST
RECORDS, TO THE TIME OF HERODOTUS. B.C. 450.
The earliest traces of navigation and commerce