Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Vol. 12 (Leo the Great, Gregory the Great)

PREFATORY NOTE

Beyond the mere justification for such a volume, another word of counsel, if it be needed, seems to me to be necessary. In the first instance, this selection from Captain Cook's Journal is intended to bridge the gap between a few subjects that the somewhat thinner accounts? of the earlier and later days of Cook had not yet adequately outlined. It is long before one finds an eye learned in observing objects and distant lands such as Cook describes, from sources that merit a record. This part of Cook's Journal has not yet been given to the world in its entirety; thus, that which is important for Cook, as such, in the present, has remained practically unknown. To make these more accessible to the general reader, they have been arranged to show their merit, which indeed is beyond that? of the ordinary ones of this period; and the original text is reproduced rather than summarized. For this reason, I thought it essential after full study to retain the spelling in almost every case, and to keep its original language, except where it seemed quite incapable of being used until refined for all readers. In those cases, the change of letter is always noted.

With regard to the notes at the foot of each page, some of which are thought necessary for the explanation of Cook's own text and of certain terms (archaic or specialized vocabulary) mentioned, modern equivalents are used, and these, along with other matters, have been added in the preface. In the transcription, however, I feel much indebted to Mr. J. R. J. Lunt?, who has compared? the original; I also thank him for his maps and for his help in other parts of the transcription.

The title employed is the one given by Cook to his Journal upon boarding the 'Endeavour,' with the thoughts perhaps refined for the reader.

PETERHEAD, 1896.
EDWARD SMITH.