tten by Clerke was sent by express through Petersburg; that
is to say, it was written in the extreme east of Asia in June, and was
sent overland across Siberia to Petersburg, and thence via Berlin to
London, and was there published in under the six months. A wonderful
journey when the difficulties of transit are taken into consideration.

In the numerous appreciative notices that appeared in the press relating
to Cook and his work, the Morning Chronicle alone strikes a jarring
string, which is at once met by a reply; and a day or two after the same
paper publishes a long letter signed Colombus (the style suggests the pen
of Sir Joseph Banks) in which the character and methods of Cook are most
strenuously defended, the writer claiming to have obtained his knowledge
of the man "through long intercourse with him."

The Gazetter of 24th January says:

"His Majesty, who had always the highest opinion of Captain Cook, shed
tears when Lord Sandwich informed him of his death, and immediately
ordered a pension of 300 pounds a year for his widow."

The amount really granted to Mrs. Cook was 200 pounds per annum, and the
Admiralty in addition gave her half the proceeds of the Journal of the
Third Voyage, a share in the Journal of the Second Voyage, and a share of
the plates used in illustrating the two publications: a very considerable
addition to her income. A Coat of Arms was also granted to the family by
order of the King, and Sir W. Besant records his belief that it was the
last one ever granted as a direct "recognition of Service." His
description of it is:

"Azure, between the two polar stars Or, a sphere on the plane of the
meridian, showing the Pacific Ocean, his track thereon marked by red
lines. And for a crest, on a wreath of the colours, is an arm bowed, in
the uniform of a Captain of the Royal Navy. In the hand is the Union Jack
on a staff proper. The arm is encircled by a wreath of palm and laurel. A
very noble shield indeed."

The notes of appreciation of his talents and services came from all parts
of the world, and none more kindly than from the series of brilliant
Frenchmen who followed in his footsteps. De Crozet did not hesitate to
throw away his own charts when he recognised the superiority of Cook's;
and Dumont d'Urville calls him "the most illustrious navigator of both
the past and future ages whose name will for ever remain at the head of
the list of sailors of all nations."

MRS. COOK'S LETTER.

T