Meſſrs. Enderby and Sons had fitted out the ſhip: but nevertheleſs, I ſpared no expenſe in providing myſelf with all things which my experience of long voyages, as well as my knowledge of the ſeas, I was preparing once more to traverſe, ſuggeſted to me as neceſſary for preſerving the health of thoſe who were to ſail with me. I alſo purchaſed the various voyages of former navigators, and ſuch books on the ſubjects of natural hiſtory, as might aſſiſt me in my purſuits, and enable me to furniſh inſtruction in thoſe branches of ſcience connected with my own; and which remote navigation might tend to advance. In ſhort, I determined to ſpare no exertion in fulfilling every object of the voyage, which had been entruſted to my care and direction.
As my inſtructions were not ready by the eleventh of November, the ſhip was ordered round to Portſmouth, to wait for me. But while I was in daily expectation of receiving my diſpatches, the
