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now esteemed trifles？ And how came they never to make any voyages； by choice at least； that were out of sight of land？ Again； with respect to the Chinese； if they excel us so much in knowledge； how came the missionaries to be so much admired for their superior skill in the sciences？ But to cut the matter short； we are not disputing now about speculative points of science； but as to the practical application of it； in which； I think； there is no doubt that the modern inhabitants of the western parts of the world excel； and excel chiefly from the labours and discoveries of these great and ingenious men； who applied their abilities to the improvement of useful arts； for the particular benefit of their countrymen； and to the common good of mankind； which character is not derived from any prejudice of ours； either against the ancients or the Oriental nations； but is founded on facts of public notoriety； and on general experience； which are a kind of evidence not to be controverted or contradicted。
We are still； however； in several respects short of perfection； and there are many things left to exercise the sagacity； penetration； and application of this and of succeeding ages； for instance； the passages to the north…east and north…west are yet unknown； there is a great part of the southern continent undiscovered； we are； in a manner； ignorant of what lies between America and Japan； and all beyond that country lies buried in obscurity； perhaps in greater obscurity than it was an age ago； so that there is still room for performing great things； which in their consequences perhaps might prove greater than can well be imagined。 I say nothing of the discoveries that yet remain with regard to inland countries； because these fall properly under another head； I mean that of travels。 But it will be time enough to think of penetrating into the heart of countries when we have discovered the sea…coasts of the whole globe； towards which the voyages recorded in this chapter have so far advanced already。 But the only means to arrive at these great ends； and to transmit to posterity a fame approaching； at least in some measure； to that of our ancestors； is to revive and restore that glorious spirit which led them to such great exploits； and the most natural method of doing this is to collect and preserve the memory of their exploits； that they may serve at once to excite our imitation； encourage our endeavours； and point out to us how they may be best employed； and with the greatest probability of success。
AN ACCOUNT OF NEW HOLLAND AND THE ADJACENT ISLANDS。 1699…1700。 BY CAPTAIN WILLIAM DAMPIER。
Having described his voyage from Brazil to New Holland； this celebrated navigator thus proceeds：
About the latitude of 26 degrees south we saw an opening； and ran in； hoping to find a harbour there； but when we came to its mouth； which was about two leagues wide； we saw rocks and foul ground within； and therefore stood out again； there we had twenty fathom water within two miles of the shore： the land everywhere appeared pretty low； flat； and even； but with steep cliffs to the sea； and when we came near it there were no trees； shrubs； or grass to be seen。 The soundings in the latitude of 26 degrees south； from about eight or nine leagues off till you come within a league of the shore； are generally about forty fathoms； differing but little； seldom above three or four fathoms； but the lead brings up very different sorts of sand； some coarse； some fine； and of several colours； as yellow； white； grey； brown； bluish； and reddish。
When I saw there was no harbour here； nor good anchoring； I stood off to sea again in the evening of the 2nd of August； fearing a storm on a lee…shore； in a place where there was no shelter； and desiring at least to have sea…room； for the clouds began to grow thick in the western…board； and the wind was already there and began to blow fresh almost upon the shore； which at this place lies along north…north…west and south…south…east。 By nine o'clock at night we got a pretty good offing； but the wind still increasing； I took in my main…top…sail； being able to carry no more sail than two courses and the mizen。 At two in the morning； August 3rd； it blew very hard； and the sea was much raised； so that I furled all my sails but my mainsail； though the wind blew so hard； we had pretty clear weather till noon； but then the whole sky was blackened with thick clouds； and we had some rain； which would last a quarter of an hour at a time； and then it would blow very fierce while the squalls of rain were over our heads； but as soon as they were gone the wind was by much abated； the stress of the storm being over； we sounded several times； but had no ground till eight o'clock； August the 4th； in the evening； and then had sixty fathom water； coral ground。 At ten we had fifty…six fathom； fine sand。 At twelve we had fifty…five fathom； fine sand； of a pale bluish colour。 It was now pretty moderate weather； yet I made no sail till morning； but then the wind veering about to the south…west； I made sail and stood to the north； and at eleven o'clock the next day； August 5th； we saw land again； at about ten leagues distant。 This noon we were in latitude 25 degrees 30 minutes； and in the afternoon our cook died； an old man； who had been sick a great while； being infirm before we came out of England。
The 6th of August； in the morning； we saw an opening in the land； and we ran into it； and anchored in seven and a half fathom water； two miles from the shore； clean sand。 It was somewhat difficult getting in here； by reason of many shoals we met with； but I sent my boat sounding before me。 The mouth of this sound； which I called Shark's Bay； lies in about 25 degrees south latitude； and our reckoning made its longitude from the Cape of Good Hope to be about 87 degrees； which is less by one hundred and ninety…five leagues than is usually laid down in our common draughts； if our reckoning was right and our glasses did not deceive us。 As soon as I came to anchor in this bay； I sent my boat ashore to seek for fresh water； but in the evening my men returned； having found none。 The next morning I went ashore myself； carrying pickaxes and shovels with me； to dig for water； and axes to cut wood。 We tried in several places for water； but finding none after several trials； nor in several miles compass； we left any further search for it； and spending the rest of the day in cutting wood； we went aboard at night。
The land is of an indifferent height； so that it may be seen nine or ten leagues off。 It appears at a distance very even； but as you come nigher you find there are many gentle risings； though none steep or high。 It is all a steep shore against the open sea； but in this bay or sound we were now in； the land is low by the seaside； rising gradually in with the land。 The mould is sand by the seaside； producing a large sort of samphire； which bears a white flower。 Farther in the mould is reddish； a sort of sand； producing some grass； plants； and shrubs。 The grass grows in great tufts as big as a bushel； here and there a tuft； being intermixed with much heath； much of the kind we have growing on our commons in England。 Of tree