In small 8vo, containing 432 pages, price 5s. in cloth boards, illustrated by a CHART, and 18 Engravings by BRANSTON, No I. OF THE EDINBURGH CABINET LIBRARY; DEDICATED, BY PERMISSION, TO JOHN BARROW, ESQ. F.R.S. BEING A NARRATIVE OF DISCOVERY AND ADVENTURE IN THE POLAR SEAS AND REGIONS: WITH ILLUSTRATIONS OF THEIR CLIMATE, GEOLOGY, AND NATURAL HISTORY; AND AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE-FISHERY. BY PROFESSOR LESLIE, PROFESSOR JAMESON, THE design of the present work is to exhibit a complete and connected view of the successive Voyages made to the Arctic Regions. In those climates Nature is marked by the most stupendous features, and the forms which she assumes differ from her appearances in our milder latitudes almost as widely as if they belonged to another planet. There the scenery is awful and dreary, yet abounds in striking, sub lime, and even beautiful objects. The career of the Navigators, who at various times have traversed the Northern Seas, amid tempest, darkness, and mountains of floating ice, presents such a series of peril and vicissitude, and has given rise to so many extraordinary displays of intrepidity and heroism, as cannot fail to render most interesting the story of their several adventures. When we consider, also, that in this field of discovery England laid the foundation of her maritime pre-eminence, and that the men who have earned the greatest glory in it have been chiefly British, it will be admitted that the History of Northern Navigation must have a peculiar charm for the English reader. The Narrative of these Voyages has been carefully drawn from the most authentic sources, by Mr Hugh Murray; and the most distinguished men of science in Scotland have lent their aid to illustrate that wonderful order of nature which prevails within the Arctic Circle. Professor Leslie has commenced the volume with a full examination of the Climate and its Phenomena,-subjects so prominent in those high latitudes, that, without a preliminary knowledge of them, the Progress of Discovery would be but imperfectly understood. A General Survey of all that is known of the Geological Structure of the same interesting regions is given by Professor Jameson. The chapter on Natural History, though it treats the subject rather in a popular than in a scientific manner, has received the careful revision of a distinguished Naturalist. The Whale-Fishery forms an essential branch of the present work. Of its daring operations, and its various perils as they occur in the depth of the Polar Seas-the description here introduced may be the more acceptable, as it is presumed to be the only one hitherto attempted within a moderate compass. 5 PROSPECTUS OF THE LIB EDINBURGH CABINET LIBRARY; COMPRISING GEOGRAPHICAL DISCOVERY AND ADVENTURE; BIOGRAPHY; HISTORY; AND POLITE LITERATURE. THE present age is honourably distinguished from all former periods, by the eagerness manifested for every species of knowledge, and by the successful efforts made to diffuse useful information among all classes of the community. The elevation which science and literature impart to the human character, and the inexhaustible sources of refined pleasure which they open, justify the hope that this new impulse given to the public mind may be found one of the most effectual means of promoting the improvement of society. To meet this increasing demand for information, several extensive and useful series of works are now in course of publication. Of the value of these the Editors of THE EDINBURGH CABINET LIBRARY are fully aware; but it has appeared to them that another series, of a character not less select and attractive, may still be added. It will be generally admitted, that the best foundation of useful knowledge is laid in an extensive acquaintance with the realities of nature and of human life. Works of fiction, while they tend to exalt the imagination and refine the taste, may also betray the youthful mind into error, unless the impressions they make are corrected by a careful survey of the scenes and events of real existence. The representations, too, of the aspects of nature, the vicissitudes of human life, and the varied features of human character, convey not instruction merely, but also afford an exhaustless store of solid and rational entertainment. The works, then, composing this series, will be chiefly such as exhibit, under their real form, man and the objects by which he is surrounded,― especially in his domestic and social nature, amid scenes and occupations analogous to those which engage the great body of mankind. Such themes, it is conceived, will be more generally instructive than those which portray man only in that lofty sphere where he acts under the almost perpetual influence of policy and ambition. Among the subjects which the undertaking will embrace, it may be found peculiarly interesting to trace the career of those adventurers who first traversed the expanse of stormy oceans, and penetrated into the interior of barbarous kingdoms. In following the progress of Discovery, a view will also be obtained, not only of the form and structure of the globe, but of whatever is most splendid in the objects both of nature and of art. Certain portions of this Library will trace the leading changes and revolutions through which the nations of the modern world have passed, with their present moral and social condition, present the instructors and benefactors of mankind as they move in their private circles,-and mark the steps by which the sciences and arts, that improve and refine human nature, have arrived at their present stage of advancement. Other subjects, in accordance with the general scope and tenor of the series, will be occasionally introduced. Such is the plan by which, out of varied and costly materials that have been accumulating for ages, it is intended to form a Cabinet Library, comprising all that is valuable in those branches of knowledge which most happily combine amusement with instruction. The utmost care will be taken, not only to exclude whatever can have an injurious influence on the youthful mind, but to embrace every thing calculated to strengthen the best and most salutary impressions. Every distinct subject will be comprehended in one volume, or at most in two volumes, which may form either a portion of the series or a complete work by itself; and each volume will be embellished with numerous and appropriate Engravings by the most celebrated Artists. Several of the works have been in preparation for a considerable time, and will be published at short intervals; but, as it is the leading object of the Editors to have each subject completed with the most anxious care and deliberation, they are unwilling to subject themselves to the mechanical necessity of a monthly periodical issue. The entire series will be the production of authors of eminence, who have acquired celebrity by former labours in their respective departments, and whose names, as they appear in succession, will afford the surest guarantee to the Public for the satisfactory manner in which the subjects will be treated. THE EDINBURGH CABINET LIBRARY will be printed uniformly with the beautiful edition of the Waverley Novels now in course of publication; and, from its size, may be bound up as a companion to that work, and to Dr Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopædia. Notwithstanding the very great expense at which this Library must be brought out, the Publishers, confident of extensive support, offer each volume at the moderate price of Five Shillings in cloth boards. EDINBURGH: OLIVER & BOYD, TWEEDDALE-COURT; SIMPKIN & MARSHALL, LONDON; AND W. CURRY, JUN. & CO. DUBLIN. |