overnment, along with M. Bouguer and other Academicians, to measure an
arc of the meridian, under the latitude of Quito, and thus ascertain the
figure of the earth. This forms a well known and respectable source; but
the Mission being directed almost exclusively to scientific objects, the
narrative may not perhaps have often met the eye of the general reader.

_Edinburgh, August 1827._

CONTENTS.

PAGE

I. THE SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA xiii

TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE xvii

AUTHOR'S PREFACE xix

CHAPTER I.

M. Picard makes his first Voyage to Africa,
leaving at Paris his Wife and two young
Daughters--Death of Madame Picard--The Children
taken home to the House of their
Grandfather--Return of M. Picard after Nine years
Absence--He marries again, and Departs a short
while after, with all his Family, for
Senegal--Description of the Journey between Paris
and Rochefort 19

CHAPTER II.

Departure from Rochefort--The Picard Family Embark
in the Medusa Frigate--Account of the Voyage till
they reach the Arguin Bank 28

CHAPTER III.

The Medusa Frigate runs aground on the Arguin
Bank--Description of the Shipwreck--A Raft is
constructed--They swear not to abandon those who
wish to go upon it 35

CHAPTER IV.

The Helm of the Medusa is broken by the Waves--It
is determined to abandon the Wreck of the
Frigate--The Military are put upon the Raft--The
greater part of the Officers go into the
Boats--The Picard Family are abandoned upon the
Medusa--Proceedings of M. Picard to get his Family
into a Boat 42

CHAPTER V.

Departure of the Boats--They seem desirous of
towing the Raft--Generous Conduct of a Naval
Officer--The Abandonment of the Raft--Despair of
the Wretches who are left to the fury of the
Waves--Reproaches of M. Picard to the Authors of
the Abandoning the Raft--Description of the Small
Fleet which the Boats formed--Frightful Fate, and
Deplorable End of the greater part of the
Individuals on the Raft 48

CHAPTER VI.

The Chiefs of the Expedition order the Boats to
take the Route for Senegal--Objections of some
Generous Officers--The Shores of the Desert of
Sahara are discovered--The Sailors of the Pinnace
are desirous of Landin