Journal of a Voyage to Australia and Round the World for Magnetical Research (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1859 edition. Excerpt: ... introduction. The voyage of which this volume contains the journal was undertaken by Dr. Scoresby with the object of observing the changes which take place in the magnetic state of an iron ship proceeding from a northern to a southern magnetic latitude, and of deciding certain questions as to the best mode of correcting the deviations of the compass in such a ship. The object was one of great importance, not only as regards science but as regards humanity. To the love of science and the devotion to the cause of humanity which led Dr. Scoresby to undertake this voyage at an advanced period of his life, he may be said to have fallen a martyr. He did not live to prepare his journals for the press; and at the request of Major-General Sabine, in whose hands his papers were placed by Mrs. Scoresby and his executors, I have undertaken the office of Editor. The materials which Dr. Scoresby left consisted, besides the record of his magnetical observations, of his journal, written from day to day, and of an introductory dissertation on magnetism, of which the ms. was nearly complete. With regard to the publication of the journal some hesitation has been felt. A detailed narrative of a voyage made on a wellknown and frequented track, and diversified by no unusual incidents, may seem hardly of sufficient interest for publication; but there are considerations which lead to the conclusion that the journal may be published, and with advantage, nearly in the shape in which it was written. Dr. Scoresby had some peculiar advantages as the narrator of such a voyage. He had been a sailor by profession, and had commanded several ships in voyages to the Arctic Seas. He was afterwards a landsman for thirty years. In this interval great changes had taken place...