ever been distinguished for
their loquacity. He introduced a rigid discipline into the English
navy, somewhat resembling that of the Prussian army; and revived
that bold and close method of fighting, within pistol-shot, which had
formerly been so successfully employed by Blake and Shovel, and which
has fostered that daring courage and irresistible intrepidity in our
British seamen, which anticipate and secure success to the most daring
and hazardous enterprizes.

In some reflexions, towards the conclusion of Betagh's
circumnavigation, Harris,[6] a former editor of a collection of
voyages and travels, breaks forth in the following laudatory strain:--

"Happy, happy, for us, that we have still a SEAMAN left, who has shewn
that the race of heroes is not yet extinct among us, in ADMIRAL ANSON,
that great and fortunate commander; who enjoys the singular felicity,
in an age of sloth, luxury, and corruption, that his _ease_ is the
result of his _labour_, his _title_ the reward of his _merit_, and
that his _wealth_ does _honour_ to his country."

[Footnote 6: Harris, Voy. and Trav. I. 253.]

How much more happy is it for us in the present day, somewhat more
than half a century later, and while every energy is required to the
utmost stretch, that we still have a race of transcendent heroes, who
have annihilated the navy and trade and colonies or our arch enemy,
have vindicated and preserved our glory and freedom and prosperity,
and bid fair to restore the honour and independence of the civilized
world, threatened with subversion by the modern Atilla--Ed.

INTRODUCTION.

Notwithstanding the great improvement of navigation within the last
two centuries, a voyage round the world is still considered as an
enterprize of so very singular a nature, that the public have never
failed to be extremely inquisitive about the various accidents
and turns of fortune with which this uncommon attempt is generally
attended. And, though the amusement expected in these narratives is
doubtless one great source of that curiosity with the bulk of readers,
yet the more intelligent part of mankind have always agreed, that,
from accounts of this nature, if faithfully executed, the more
important purposes of navigation, commerce, and national interest, may
be greatly promoted. For every authentic description of foreign coasts
and countries will contribute to one or more of these great ends, in
proportion to the wealth, wants, or commodities of t