he narratives of celebrated
travellers. Although they tell us of beings who speak another tongue,
inhabit a different clime, differ altogether from ourselves in
manners, customs, dress, and institutions--yet the sympathy which man
feels for his fellows makes us delight in all the details which talent
and enterprise procure for us. The personal narrative of the traveller
has also a great charm; we seem to participate in his dangers,
excitements, and pleasures; we add to our knowledge in his company;
and the truth and sincerity which pervade the narrative, make us feel
a personal interest in the narrator. It is intended to reprint some of
the narratives of our old English Navigators, especially those of
Discoveries, which have had most influence on the progress of
Geographical Knowledge. It will not be an objection that these eminent
men lived at a period of time distant from our own; for their
Narratives are full of truths, told with plain simplicity.

But the important labours of modern travellers will not be forgotten.
In describing several interesting portions of the earth's surface, we
shall avail ourselves of the most trustworthy individuals, and by a
careful comparison of statements and details, we hope to present
graphic descriptions of some of the most celebrated countries of the
world; as well as of those which have only of late years been
explored. Many voyages of discovery have had their proceedings
recorded in large quartos, the price of which places them above the
reach of the general reader, while their scientific details render
them unfit for popular use: a digest of these works, containing an
epitome of the lighter portions, and the results of the scientific
discoveries, may prove acceptable.

The following works are being prepared for publication:

The Life, Adventures, and Discoveries of Captain William
Dampier; including a History of the Buccaneers of America.

Captain Cook and the Circumnavigation of the Globe.

An Overland Journey and a Steam Voyage to India.

Voyages and Discoveries in the South Polar Regions.

Voyages and Discoveries in the Northern Polar Regions.

Voyages and Discoveries in Australasia and Polynesia.

To these will be added digests of Travels and Adventures in various
Countries of the Old and New Worlds.

V. Popular Tales and Fiction.

The design of this Collection embraces many favourite old works,
which, though containing much th