n a state
of infancy." Krusenstern's descriptions, we see, come after King's,
somewhat in the manner of Holbein's Dance of Death, after whatever was
promising or agreeable!--E.

[85] In Mr Coxe's work, we have accounts of three voyages subsequent to
Synd's, viz. those of Shelekof, of Ismaelof and Betsharoff, and of
Billings, all of which were performed betwixt 1778 and 1792. The
second of these, according to Mr Coxe's opinion, is by far the most
interesting of any yet made by the Russians. The last, which was of
very long continuance, and occasioned an enormous expence to the
government, did not fully answer the expectations entertained of it.
The commander, an Englishman, is not spoken highly of by Krusenstern,
who tells us, indeed, that, among the Russian naval officers, there
were many who would have conducted the expedition much more creditably
than he did. This may, no doubt, be very true. But how comes it, that
they were not known in time to be employed? Or, admitting that they
were known for superiority of talents, but that some reasons,
independent of any consideration of respective qualifications, decided
against their being employed, who was to blame, it may be asked, in
selecting an incompetent, or at least an inferior person, for the
command of so important an undertaking? Captain Krusenstern may be a
very able officer; indeed, no one can read his work without
entertaining a high opinion of his moral and professional character.
It is shrewdly to be suspected, however, that he is somewhat deficient
in that prophetic eye of wise policy, which at one glance can
ascertain the effects and consequences of one's own assertions and
reasonings. It is not thought advisable to enter upon the
consideration of the subject now adverted to by Captain King, as a
fitter opportunity will in all probability present itself for the
necessary discussion.--E.

[86] Captain Krusenstern, as may have been already perceived, thinks very
highly of the Kamtschadale character. In his judgment, the only
objection to it applies to that superinduced propensity in which the
avaricious merchant has so often found his account, though to the ruin
of the unthinking individuals subjected to his temptations. Their
honesty is greatly extolled; and a cheat is as rare among the
Kamtschadales as a man of property. So